Glasgow Rangers take a break from Premiership action this weekend as they look to book their place in the Scottish Cup final.

Philippe Clement will lead his side out at Hampden Park against Hearts on Sunday afternoon with the hopes of reaching a second domestic cup final of the season.

Clashes against the Jambos at the national stadium are becoming a recurring theme. The 2022 Scottish Cup final saw the Gers secure a 2-0 win, while they also prevailed in the League Cup semi-final earlier this season, seeing off the Tynecastle side 3-0 before defeating Aberdeen in the final.

Perhaps a break from top-flight action comes at precisely the right time for the Light Blues, as they have failed to win their previous three Premiership matches.

Clement will be expecting a big performance after a woeful display in Dundee during midweek, with changes to the starting XI looking extremely likely.

With this in mind, here's a look at who could be unleashed for Rangers as they travel to Hampden for the third time this season…

1 GK – Jack Butland

Despite an impressive debut campaign for Rangers, Butland has conceded six goals in his previous three matches and would dearly love another clean sheet against the Jambos.

Across his two Scottish Cup games this season, Butland has conceded zero goals. While Rangers will have to play a lot better on Sunday compared to during the week, if Butland can maintain his recent form, then they will find it hard to get through him.

2 RB – James Tavernier

The captain, alongside Connor Goldson and John Lundstram, have failed to show the desired leadership qualities when the pressure is on, culminating in the defeat to Ross County and the draw against Dundee.

He may have scored 24 goals and chipped in with ten assists, but if he can't get the club firing over the next few weeks, it won't count for much if they don’t win any of the two remaining trophies of the season.

3 CB – John Souttar

The Scot has been solid in recent weeks, despite some bad results for the Light Blues. Against Dundee, he made three tackles, three clearances and wasn’t dribbled past during the entire game.

Souttar also finished the game with a 90% pass success rate and his distribution from the back will be key to Rangers building momentum against his old side.

He will keep his place in the starting XI, but he will have a different partner…

4 CB – Leon Balogun

Goldson will drop to the bench for the semi-final having delivered a few shaky performances recently. Against Dundee, he was given a match rating of just 5/10 for his display by Glasgow World

Balogun has barely featured since suffering a facial injury against Livingston in February, but he should return to the lineup against Hearts at Hampden.

5 LB – Dujon Sterling

Ridvan Yilmaz is still injured, while Borna Barisic simply can't be trusted in a game of this magnitude, indicating that Sterling will retain his place on the left side of the defence.

Against the Dens Park side, the Englishman won four of his six contested duels along with making two key passes, showing his strength in one-on-one battles while also trying to make things happen going forward.

6 CM – Mohamed Diomande

The Ivorian suffered a thumb injury against Celtic and thus missed the subsequent games against County and Dundee due to undergoing surgery, but Clement will have him available against Hearts.

In his first 12 games, Diomande has scored twice for the Gers and could certainly offer more going forward than Lundstram, who is far too static at the base of the midfield.

7 CM – Nicolas Raskin

At Dens Park, Lundstram lost possession 12 times while being dribbled past on two occasions, failing to offer anything meaningful during the game.

This could see him being dropped for the semi-final as Nico Raskin may come back into the starting XI.

The Belgian has started just three league matches thus far in 2024, being hauled off at half-time in two of them, but it is surely time for him to show Clement exactly what he can do.

8 RW – Abdallah Sima

Usually deployed on the left wing, Sima scored against Celtic a few weeks ago by operating on the right flank, and he will likely start there against Hearts.

Overall, the on-loan star has netted 16 goals in what has been a wonderful temporary spell at Ibrox, emerging as one of their finest attacking players.

If the price is right, could Clement perhaps secure him on a permanent deal this summer?

9 AM – Todd Cantwell

The Englishman will be deployed in his usual number ten slot, but he will have to improve massively against Hearts.

He was hooked after just 56 minutes in midweek following a display which saw him complete just 18 passes, make two key passes and win only one duel throughout his time on the pitch.

Clement will unleash him once again this weekend, and if he can hit top form, Hearts could suffer.

10 LW – Rabbi Matondo

The £3m signing from 2022 has scored two stunners in his previous four league matches, which surely merits a start against Hearts.

His goal against Celtic salvaged a point when it looked like a defeat was imminent, but he had been used as a sub during the previous two matches.

If he starts at Hampden, he could terrorise the Hearts backline without a shadow of a doubt.

كشف المهندس ممدوح عيد، رئيس نادي بيراميدز، عن المرشح الذي سيتم دعمه في انتخابات الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم المُقبلة.

وأعلن الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم عن فتح باب الترشح للائحة النظام الأساسي، وعدم الترشح بشكل فردي ووفقًا لنظام القائمة الموحدة.

وأنهى اتحاد الكرة تجهيزاته لاستقبال المرشحين للانتخابات المقبلة وفتح باب الترشح بداية من الأحد الماضي تمهيدًا لـ انتخابات الجبلاية، والمقررة يوم 10 ديسمبر المقبل.

وأعلن ممدوح عيد دعمه الكامل للمهندس هاني أبو ريدة وقائمته في انتخابات اتحاد الكرة، مُشددًا على أنه الاختيار المثالي لقيادة الكرة المصرية خلال السنوات الأربع المُقبلة.

أوضح رئيس نادي بيراميدز عبر المركز الإعلامي للنادي، أن أبو ريدة بما يمتلكه من ثقل واحترام عالمي، وخبرات محلية ودولية كبيرة، وكذلك كونه أقدم أعضاء مجلس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”، والمكتب التنفيذي للاتحاد الإفريقي “كاف”، قادر على إعادة الأمور إلى نصابها الصحيح، وعودة الكرة المصرية لمسارها الطبيعي، كونها الرائدة في المنطقة العربية والقارة السمراء.

طالع أيضًا | حلمي طولان: جماهير الزمالك تهاجمني بسبب الأهلي.. ويكشف مرشحه الأفضل لرئاسة اتحاد الكرة

وأكد ممدوح عيد، أن قائمة أبوريدة تضم مزيجًا رائعًا من الخبرة والشباب أصحاب التجارب الواعدة، ويتوقع لهم جميعا النجاح، ويتوسم فيهم تقديم الأفضل للكرة المصرية في المرحلة المُقبلة.

وسبق للمهندس هاني أبو ريدة رئاسة الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم لفترة واحدة، بين عامي 2016 و2019. قائمة هاني أبو ريدة لرئاسة اتحاد الكرة

١) السيد / هاني حسن علي أبو ريدة.

٢) السيد / خالد محمد علي الدرندلي.

٣) السيد / أحمد محمد حلمي أحمد الشريف.

٤) السيد / محمد محمود يونس الشربيني.

٥) السيد / وليد عمر عبد الجواد درويش.

٦) السيد / مصطفى عبد اللّٰه إبراهيم أبو زهرة.

٧) السيد / طارق محمد محمد محمد أبو العينين.

٨) السيد / محمد أحمد فؤاد حسين أبو حسين.

٩) السيدة / إيناس محمد علي مظهر.

المرشحون الاحتياطيون

١) السيد / أشرف محمد موسى حسن.

٢) السيد / جمس حنا جرس جاد الرب.

٣) السيدة / هيام محمد محمد بركة.

Young seamer worked hard on reverse-swing methods in training during England’s New Zealand tour

Matt Roller30-Jan-2020

Saqib Mahmood, the young England seamer, would “look forward” to using a Kookaburra ball in County Championship fixtures if a round of games with the ball was introduced.Mahmood, who made his T20I debut on England’s New Zealand tour at the end of last year and was an unused member of the Test squad, said that he had “made good strides” learning how to bowl with a Kookaburra in the nets, and suggested that using the ball instead of a Dukes in domestic cricket would “bring in a different skillset to be successful with”.ALSO READ: Mahmood, Stone, Overton given ECB pace-bowling development contractsWhile there are no plans to introduce a round of games with a Kookaburra ball for the 2020 Championship season, it was discussed as an idea by the ECB’s cricket committee at the end of last year, and Ashley Giles, the managing director of England cricket, has described it as “an issue we should get our head around”.”It helps playing [home games] at Old Trafford,” Mahmood said at an England Lions training camp, “but if it did come across I’d look forward to it. It would bring in a different skillset to be successful with, rather than bowling a few dibbly-dobblies.”If we had that in the Championship for a couple of rounds, how would teams react? What kind of bowlers would they pick? Guys who haven’t had a look-in might start to get a look-in – teams will have to find a way to take 20 wickets.”Mahmood emphasised the difference in how the two balls behave with an example from the nets in New Zealand, when Paul Collingwood, one of England’s assistant coaches, bowled to him with both.”I had Colly bowl to me with a Dukes in New Zealand and I couldn’t hit it,” he said, “then when he had the Kookaburra it was a different ball game.”While he bowls at good pace by English standards, Mahmood has attracted attention in his fledgling career primarily due to his ability to make the ball reverse-swing, shining in last season’s One-Day Cup as one of the few bowlers able to make the white ball move off the straight at the end of an innings.He is set to make his ODI debut in South Africa next week, and was a late addition to the T20I squad as a replacement for the injured Jofra Archer. Following that series, he will travel to Australia to join up with the England Lions squad in time for the final two red-ball games of their tour, games in which he will hope to impress with half an eye on the 2021-22 Ashes series.Although Mahmood did not come close to a Test debut in New Zealand, he is sufficiently highly regarded by the ECB that he has become one of three seamers – along with Olly Stone and Craig Overton – handed a pace-bowling development contract, which will see him work closely with the England set-up in an attempt to help his progress.”I wasn’t involved in [the first Test at] Mount Maunganui,” he said, “so it was a case of watching how the New Zealand guys bowled – I was watching quite closely, seeing the fields they have, the tactics… looking how to bowl outside of England and with a Kookaburra.”I’d watch, then go into the nets, try things, and very quick I was picking up on reverse swing. That’s something which I can use as one of my strengths away from England and with the Kookaburra. It’s also [about] practising new skills for unresponsive pitches.”It was learning how best I can use [the Kookaburra]. I found in the nets if I bowled seam upright, it looked nice and pretty but I didn’t think I was very effective. So it was [a case of] pitching the ball up a bit, bringing both edges into the game. The ball I try to swing is the variation, rather than the stock ball as it is in England.”Saqib Mahmood’s ability to reverse swing the ball has earned him plenty of attention•Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Mahmood also heralded Darren Gough’s work as a short-term bowling consultant in New Zealand, where he spent two weeks with the England squad ahead of the Test series. He had developed a bad habit in his run-up during the T20I series, which had gone unnoticed, but Gough’s “fresh set of eyes” spotted the problem almost immediately.”As soon as I put that back into my training I felt good again and thought ‘God, I wish someone had told me this two weeks ago’,” he said. “Exposure to high-pressure situations can do things: you start to try harder and that can have a backward effect.”It was really good, because I obviously get reverse when I bowl but I wouldn’t know how to go about it as best as I could before I worked with Goughie. He told me how much he practised it, which I was nowhere near.”When you’re trying to reverse swing a ball back into a right-hander, your mind is telling you to push the ball, but you don’t want to do that. As easy as it sounds, it does take a while to get used to it. By the end of the trip I was doing ten balls at the end of every session and I actually got pretty good. I made good strides.”

Liverpool are yet to make a single signing this summer and captain Virgil van Dijk has urged the club to make transfers before the window closes.

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Liverpool yet to make a summer signingVan Dijk urges club to make transfersDutchman gives update on his future(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

With three weeks remaining until the end of the summer transfer window, Liverpool are yet to make their first signing under new boss Arne Slot. The Reds have been heavily linked with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi as they look to trigger the Spaniard's €60 million (£52m/$63m) release clause, however, Van Dijk has asked the club ownership to make signings as quickly as possible.

AdvertisementWHAT VAN DIJK SAID

Speaking to the media, Van Dijk said: "Obviously I think we should make some signings based on how long the season will go but I think they are working behind the scenes and I am fully convinced and trust the club that they will do the right thing for us and get the best possible squad in order to compete in every competition that we are in.

"That is the main thing I am focusing on, having the trust and we will see what happens. I think they are working very hard behind the scenes, we will see how that pans out."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Van Dijk's future with Liverpool has been heavily questioned as the Dutch defender has entered the final year of his contract at Anfield. While he hasn't been very open about his future, he provided an update on his situation, suggesting that he has not yet been offered a new deal by the club. When asked about the situation, he said: “There are no changes at the moment.”

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WHAT NEXT FOR VAN DIJK?

The Dutch defender will be in action next when Slot begins his debut Premier League campaign in a clash against Ipswich Town on Sunday, August 17.

Arsenal have joined the race to sign one of the best midfielders in world football, according to a report this week.

Gunners set for summer revamp

Though they are currently deep in a title race, it is expected to be another busy summer for Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar in north London. A striker is undoubtedly their priority after seeing Gabriel Jesus miss a large part of the season through injury, but they also require cover for William Saliba and Gabriel, both of whom have been a key part of this season's Premier League success to date, playing almost every minute available as a partnership.

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An alternative to Bukayo Saka on the right wing would be smart too; the Englishman has been nursing an injury for some time and was forced to withdraw from international duty as a result last month.

But midfield could see the biggest revamp. Mohamed Elneny is set to leave the club when his contract expires, while Jorginho's contract also runs out, though there is talk of the Italian being offered an extension.

Meanwhile, Thomas Partey has been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the past and, a free agent in 2025, could be cashed in on this summer instead.

Arsenal's options in defensive midfield

Player

Contract expiry

Thomas Partey

2025

Declan Rice

2028

Mohamed Elneny

2024

Jorginho

2024

With that in mind, central midfield may be a priority for the Gunners, and reports suggest they may have found their man.

"Mentality monster" on the way?

That player in question is none other than 29-year-old German star Joshua Kimmich, who is out of contract in 12 months time and could be cashed in on by German giants Bayern Munich for the same reason Arsenal may sell Partey.

The diminutive midfielder has long been linked with a move away from Bavaria, and reports earlier in the season named Arsenal as one of five clubs that he'd be willing to join were he to depart. Now, it appears the feeling is mutual. As per Football Transfers, Arsenal have 'approached' Bayern for Kimmich, though they have been warned Bayern 'will refuse' to discuss a move for their midfielder until the end of the season.

The Gunners are keen to find cover for both right back and central midfield, and deployed Partey in that role earlier in the season. With vast experience in both positions, Kimmich could be the perfect option for the hybrid position Mikel Arteta is seeking, though his massive £320,000 per week wages at the Allianz Arena could prove a major obstacle.

Kimmich has been singled out for high praise by Bayern coaches, and former boss Hansi Flick was particularly keen on the German.

“Joshua Kimmich is an absolute professional, a mentality monster,” he revealed in 2021. “He’s always in the game, he never gives up. He’s one who always pushes but of course has enormous quality on the ball.”

Arsenal will of course get the chance to watch Kimmich up close in the coming weeks as they face Bayern in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Should they get their way, he may become a mainstay at the Emirates Stadium, rather than just a visitor.

West Ham United lost their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday night after drawing against Bayer Leverkusen at the London Stadium, unable to overturn the 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Germany.

Over a week ago, at Leverkusen, David Moyes' side fought valiantly; on home turf, West Ham produced a confident and controlled performance and will be devastated that they couldn't add to Michail Antonio's early goal, succumbing in the dying embers when Jeremie Frimpong's strike took a big deflection off Aaron Cresswell, Xabi Alonso's side's season-long unbeaten record still intact.

So… what now? The Hammers can take solace from their spirited approach in both legs and while Fulham won at the London Stadium last weekend as Moyes rested several players, the side are eighth in the Premier League and just two points off inconsistent Manchester United, who hold on to the final Europe-qualifying spot.

With just five games remaining this term, hitting a rich vein of form is now crucial, and with Jarrod Bowen fit once again, United might just craft a successful finish.

Jarrod Bowen's season in numbers

West Ham's talisman. The first signing of Moyes' second tenure at the club. The top scorer in all competitions this season with 19 goals. The clincher of the Europa Conference League trophy last summer.

Bowen has been lauded for his "unbelievable" goalscoring feats by talkSPORT's Simon Jordan earlier this season and has been so important throughout West Ham's brightest period in a generation.

It was the England international's whipped assist that found Antonio's head in the early phase on Thursday evening, an illustration of his multi-faceted skill set and the ability to breach even the most secure, steeliest defences in Europe.

He's a first-class player and his offensive tools will be vital in the weeks to come if West Ham are indeed to reclaim a qualifying spot and secure a fourth successive season on the continent.

However, his placement in the thick of the attacking action makes him the obvious pick, but there was another player in midweek who, if they hadn't already, underscored why they are actually Moyes' most important player.

Why Edson Alvarez is so important for West Ham

The man in question is Edson Alvarez, who missed the first leg against the newly-crowned German Bundesliga champions due to suspension – his absence was keenly felt.

Alvarez signed for the Hammers in a £35m deal from Ajax last summer in what is clearly the most direct replacement of Declan Rice's presence, with the Arsenal star leaving for a record £105m after winning the Conference League.

Declan Rice: PL Stats 22/23

Stat

#

Matches played

37

Matches started

36

Goal

4

Assists

2

Pass completion

88%

Key passes per game

1.0

Tackles per game

2.1

Interceptions per game

1.7

Clearances per game

1.5

Duels won per game

4.4 (58%)

Dribbles per game

0.9 (61%)

Stats via Sofascore

A force of a midfielder, Alvarez ranks among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 15% for interceptions, the top 1% for blocks and the top 2% for clearances per 90, as per FBref, having also been hailed for his "unreal" form by journalist Jack Fawcett.

Replacing Rice was never going to be an easy task but Alvarez has excelled, completing 86% of his passes in the Premier League this season, as per Sofascore, averaging 2.6 tackles, 5.6 ball recoveries and 2.4 clearances per game, succeeding with 65% of his 0.9 dribbles per match and winning 51% of his 5.1 contested duels per game.

Against Leverkusen, the Mexico international made five tackles, won ten duels and took 72 touches, earning a player rating of 8/10 against Europe's most in-form team, with The Standard's Malik Ouzia saying: 'How he was missed when suspended in Germany. Read the game superbly to allow teammates to go hell-for-leather in the press.'

Alvarez is the glue that holds it all together, and while Bowen could be the spike-point at the front of the team, Moyes' Mexican general is the one who could make the real difference in these closing weeks of the campaign.

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Pochettino is yet to formally join the USMNT as their head coach despite having an agreement with the USSF

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Pochettino yet to join USMNTHas an agreement with the USSFTerms of Chelsea's severance package creating hindranceWHAT HAPPENED?

The Athletic reported last week that ex-Chelsea coach Pochettino is all set to become the new manager of the United States men's national team. Pochettino is currently without a club after he was told to exit Stamford Bridge in May this year.

AdvertisementGettyTHE EXPLANATION

The Argentine, however, is yet to formally put pen to paper on a contract despite reaching an agreement with the United States Soccer Federation. The Athletic now reports that the reason why the manager is yet to take up the job is the terms of Chelsea's severance package to him. Per the clause, the Blues will pay Pochettino until the time he gets a new job after which the club will not owe any money to him. It is unlikely that USSF will be able to afford Pochettino's last wages as national jobs are generally lowly paid compared to what the top 6 Premier League clubs pay.

DID YOU KNOW?

There is more than one way to solve the existing issue. USSF could replicate Canada's stance during the signing of Jesse Marsch as three MLS teams from Canada helped the country's federation by contributing. However, it has been reported that USSF had no such chat with MLS clubs as of now. The second way will be to go the Lionel Messi way as they could collaborate with a third party who could partly sponsor the move.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

It remains to be seen if the Blues come forward and agree to cover half the money that was owed to the manager while USSF will pay their part. The USMNT will be next seen in September during the international break as they take on Canada and New Zealand in back-to-back friendlies.

Steven Smith and David Warner will be the centre of attention but South Africa are the team with issues to solve

The Preview by Alan Gardner20-Feb-2020

Big pictureThe last time these two teams met in this setting, things got a little rough. Even before Newlands, sandpaper and the inquisition that followed, there had been boorish behaviour on the field, boorish behaviour off it, a skirmish in a stairwell and Faf du Plessis intervening dressed only in a towel. In fact, that last one was family-friendly by the standards of Australia’s 2017-18 tour of South Africa, the ripples of which were still observable during the most recent northern summer, when Steven Smith and David Warner made their comebacks in England.Almost two years on, in the wake of various bans, reviews, leadership changes, coaching appointments and many, discussions about “culture”, Australia return to the scene of their DIY crimes. Well, not quite to Cape Town, yet, but back to the same Johannesburg hotel, as Smith noted earlier this week, where so much crisis management took place between the third and fourth Tests – and from where Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft set off for home, amid tears, recriminations and the sense of Australian cricket rapidly imploding.And yet, ahead of three T20Is and three ODIs, it is the tourists who will walk into the Wanderers with a lighter tread. Smith and Justin Langer have spoken enthusiastically about being back in South Africa, having dealt with brickbats aplenty in England, while Aaron Finch leads a team that are unbeaten in T20Is stretching back to 2018, and reached a World Cup semi-final in between times. The Ashes remain in Australian hands, Smith and Warner have resumed their phenomenal run-scoring feats and their only defeats of the “home” summer came while away in India last month.Contrast that with South Africa’s 2019-20 season. Following the administrative turmoil that saw Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis and several other former greats co-opted to the team’s management, South Africa managed just one win in each of the three formats against England, losing Test and T20I series, and drawing the ODIs. Subsequently, du Plessis has stepped down from the captaincy, and planning for this year’s T20 World Cup seems to hinge on whether AB de Villiers can be talked into a comeback. Throw in long-standing issues around finance and transformation, and it’s hard not to become pessimistic.That said, contests with Australia rarely fail to bring out South Africa’s best. They will be buoyed by the return of Kagiso Rabada, who last played during the Port Elizabeth Test in January, and du Plessis has sidelined any lingering resentment about his treatment to bring his considerable experience as a T20 batsman. The T20Is against England were closely contested, featuring positive performances from Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klassen and Lungi Ngidi, while Dale Steyn will hope to find his groove ahead of a final World Cup tilt. If South Africa are underdogs, they still know how to bite.And, starting at the Bullring, they will be roared on over the next 11 days by partisan crowds eager to see nothing more than Australia upended once again. T20Is can often seem lacking in context – but in a World Cup year, and beneath the long shadow of Cape Town 2018, this could be a series to savour.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)South Africa LLWWL
Australia WWWWWIn the spotlightHe has often been the man to step into the breach for South Africa, and du Plessis will not be letting his country down now, despite relinquishing the captaincy (or was he pushed?) seven months out from the T20 World Cup. He is vastly experienced in the shortest format, and should provide a shoulder for de Kock to lean on as he juggles leadership and keeping wicket, as well as adding class and nous with the bat. A miserable Test series against England saw du Plessis record a top-score of 36 in eight innings, but he has enjoyed T20 success this season, guiding unfancied Paarl Rocks to the Mzansi Super League title.There’s no doubting who the camera operators will be focusing on when Smith and Warner step back on to a South African playing field for the first time since Newlands. Both, however, seem ready to deal with the scrutiny. Smith enjoyed another stellar Ashes, ticked along at a fraction below his usual standards during the summer, and comes into this series off the back of an ODI hundred plus a walk-on role in Sydney Sixers’ Big Bash triumph. Warner, meanwhile, put his torment at the hands of Stuart Broad behind him to ravenously rack up 1219 runs at 135.44, which included a maiden T20I hundred and his Test best of 335 not out. The Wanderers crowd will be hard pushed to throw either off his stride.Team newsBavuma will miss this match after picking up a hamstring strain against England, putting a pause on his prolific opening partnership with de Kock – as well as hurting South Africa’s chances of hitting their transformation target. Du Plessis, without the burden of captaincy, will slot straight back in, which could mean Jon-Jon Smuts assuming a more familiar role as opener, while Rabada is in line to lead the attack alongside veteran campaigner Steyn. Anrich Nortje could also be involved, after sitting out both limited-overs series against England.South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (capt, wk), 2 Jon-Jon Smuts, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Tabraiz Shamsi, 11 Lungi Ngidi/Anrich NortjeGlenn Maxwell’s comeback on this tour was derailed by elbow surgery, which leaves Australia a little light on middle-order options – his replacement in the squad is D’Arcy Short, who usually opens but like Maxwell can also provide a spin option. Warner and Finch seem locked in to start the innings, having been so successful during the home summer, so that leaves two from Short, Matthew Wade (whose last T20I was in 2016) and Mitchell Marsh (last T20I 2018) to fill out an otherwise settled line-up, with two frontline spinners and the pace of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.Australia (possible): 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch (capt), 3 Steven Smith, 4 Matt Wade/D’Arcy Short, 5 Mitchell Marsh, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Ashton Agar, 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Kane RichardsonPitch and conditionsThe pitch at the Wanderers for the pink ODI earlier this month was a little on the slow side, with some unexpected assistance for England’s two spinners, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. That said, short boundaries and thin Highveld air usually combine for entertaining (read: batsman-friendly) encounters. The game is sold out, but the possibility of thundershowers could lead to interruptions.Stats and trivia South Africa have only won three, and lost seven, of their last ten completed T20Is against Australia. Their last such meeting in Johannesburg saw Australia successfully chase 205 – although South Africa have won the other three encounters at the Wanderers. Australia have not lost more than three wickets in a completed T20I innings since February 2019, when they made 127 for 7 in Vizag at the start of their winning run.Quotes”It’s great to have him back. He is excited, he still understands he has a big role to play for us. He is still seen as a leader amongst all of us. He is one of the senior-most members in the team and he brings a lot of experience and can help guide the younger players in the team. His knowledge will help us going forward.”
“Coming off the summer, I feel good and the boys feel good. The team knows their roles. It’s very well defined. [Previously], the order was out and players didn’t really know what their role was but at the moment it’s very clear. Every person knows what their role is.”