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Even before the squad was announced, several players were locked in, with only a few slots still up for grabs. Here’s the logic behind the picks for those spots

Nagraj Gollapudi15-Sep-2022Arshdeep Singh
When fully fit, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel were always going to be the three frontline quicks with Hardik Pandya for support. India had to pick one or two back-up fast bowlers in the squad. They went for one: Arshdeep Singh, who pipped Deepak Chahar and Avesh Khan.Related

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It is learnt that there was hardly any debate over whether Arshdeep should be the one on the flight to Australia. The selectors and the team management agreed that he showed composure and calmness in two tight final overs – against Pakistan and Sri Lanka – during the Asia Cup. Praising Arshdeep recently, India captain Rohit Sharma said the young left-arm fast bowler deserved to be part of the India team because he had the temperament to execute under pressure. He also brings the left-arm angle, which is not available otherwise.Arshdeep only made his international debut earlier this year during India’s UK tour, but the selectors also considered his IPL form; he had consistently bowled tough overs for Punjab Kings.Chahar can consider himself unlucky because of injuries, but he also is quite similar to Bhuvneshwar, which leaves room only for one of them in the main squad. Chahar, though, finds a place in the reserves.Deepak Hooda scored his maiden T20 century on the UK tour•Sportsfile/Getty ImagesDeepak Hooda
A maiden T20 century against Ireland on the UK trip helped Deepak Hooda become a serious contender for the T20 World Cup. With his flexibility to bat in any position, his versatility as a stroke-maker, his athleticism as a boundary-rider and his ability to bowl part-time offbreaks, Hooda is an asset in any T20 side. The selectors, too, felt he could add to India’s batting and bowling depth in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, allowing the team management to work with different combinations.The selectors went with the experience of R Ashwin•Michael Steele/AFP/Getty Images R Ashwin
Wristspinners have been the dominant entity in T20 cricket in Australia in the past few years, but the selectors opted for senior pro R Ashwin over young legspinner Ravi Bishnoi, who had an impressive outing in the Asia Cup. The selectors felt that Ashwin and his fingerspin could be used both as an attacking and defensive option in the powerplay, middle overs or even at death. It was also felt that on pitches that offer good bounce and on bigger grounds, Ashwin could pose more difficult questions to the batters compared to a second wristspinner (behind Yuzvendra Chahal), especially someone in the infancy of their international career.Mohammed Shami is part of the India squad for the series against Australia and South Africa•ICC via GettyMohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami has not made it to the main squad, but he is still a surprise selection for the reserves: he has not played for India in T20Is since the 2021 T20 World Cup last November. Shami is also part of the India squads for the home T20I series against Australia and South Africa before the World Cup. His recall caught many by surprise, but Shami is part of a group of players the selectors believe can turn up and play in any format thanks to vast experience as well as top control over their skillset. In Shami and Chahar, India have good cover in case there is an injury to any of the four quicks in the main squad.

The South Australia batsman had been told his performances weren’t consistent enough

Daniel Brettig05-Nov-2020In spite of a promising beginning that peaked with a polished early stint in Australia’s ODI team, Callum Ferguson’s career ultimately ended with a long, slow fade to retirement after the brief high of a Test debut in 2016.That Test, against South Africa in Hobart, saw Ferguson ignominiously run out on the way to the national team’s fifth consecutive long-form defeat. Ferguson and his fellow South Australian debutant Joe Mennie were summarily dropped after Rod Marsh resigned as chairman of selectors, signalling Cricket Australia’s intent to head into another, more youthful direction after choosing “Ferg” at the age of 31.As much as Ferguson would have liked to prove that selection decision wrong, and had even begun this season with fleeting thoughts of fighting his way back to the front rank of Test team aspirants, the panel’s judgment was born out by how he would slip in and out of the Redbacks’ XI in subsequent years, including his omission from the first game of this season.”It’s a really tough question that I asked myself, why not keep playing through the season,” Ferguson said in explaining his retirement. “I’ve been a bit frustrated at my own lack of consistency over the last few years, I feel like I haven’t been at a level I’ve been comfortable with. I feel like I’ve got punches to throw and I feel like I’m going to make runs every time I walk out to the crease. But more so I think at 35 my dream of playing for the country is probably gone, I was thinking that while I was making the decision. Now it is gone to wear the baggy green again.”I think I went into the season feeling like if I put a big 1000-run year on the board I’ll be a chance to get back there. The selectors have shown in the past they’re willing to go with guys who make big runs at an older age, but probably getting left out at the start of the summer took a bit of the wind out of my sails, and that was a tough one to take, but I’ve been around well and truly long enough to understand how the game works. There’s people put in roles to make tough decisions and tough decisions are what make great teams and great associations.”I would’ve loved to play in a couple of wins the last couple of games. That hasn’t eventuated and I think looking at the fact we’ve got one more game before the break, at the end of this game hopefully get a big win on the board, build some momentum, and I think it’s time for someone to get a crack at Nos. 5 or 3, make it their own and hopefully take us to a big second half of the season. Right now I don’t feel like I’m the right one to take us all the way through.”

I have gone into every innings thinking I’m going to make a 100 in the next one and unfortunately, I haven’t done that consistently enough to be able to say ‘no, that’s my spot’, particularly in the eyes of the selectorsCallum Ferguson

Quite simply, Ferguson was unable to make the spinal runs in the first innings of a Sheffield Shield game that generally define the arc of each contest. The brutal reality of life after that one Test was that Ferguson never made another first innings century in a first-class match, a sequence spanning 44 innings for just 694 runs at 15.77 with three 50s. This was no more frustrating for anyone than Ferguson himself, and it was not a pattern that could be allowed to continue if South Australia is to regenerate as a Shield force.”I was given the message that my performances in first innings over the last 12-18 months hadn’t been good enough, and they hadn’t been good enough in my eyes either, and I can’t argue that fact,” Ferguson said. “I was struggling with the idea that I wasn’t in our best top five, but I think when you get to the stage of my career I’m at, I’m always going to feel like I’m in the best five.”I have gone into every innings thinking I’m going to make a 100 in the next one and unfortunately, I haven’t done that consistently enough to be able to say ‘no, that’s my spot’, particularly in the eyes of the selectors. Obviously at the start of the season they didn’t think that was the case, and I’ve got to live with that.”It was a sad end, too, for one of cricket’s more likeable and at one time promising batting talents. Certainly, Ferguson showed enormous potential in his early years, never more than when he was called into Australia’s white-ball team in early 2009 and proceeded to look very much at home over 30 matches in which he compiled 663 runs at 41.43.How Ferguson might have fared if he had been able to spend more time surrounded by the best of Australian cricket at the top end of the game will never be known: a serious knee injury suffered while fielding during the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa in 2009 cost Ferguson a season, and he did not play a white-ball game for Australia after 2011.Callum Ferguson: ‘I’ve been a bit frustrated at my own lack of consistency over the last few years, I feel like I haven’t been at a level I’ve been comfortable with’•Getty ImagesThree of the key figures Ferguson was surrounded by in the earliest days of his career were there again at the end. The South Australia coach Jason Gillespie, the high performance chief Tim Nielsen were both on hand right at the beginning, as a starry-eyed junior watching them in a Shield game at Adelaide Oval, while the assistant coach Greg Blewett had also been there most steps of the way – as a younger man Ferguson had occasionally been referred to as “mini-Blewey”.”The SACA since I was 12 years old have given me every opportunity to make a success of a cricket career, turn it into a lifestyle and a way of life to an extent,” Ferguson said. “I couldn’t be more thankful, they’ve given me absolutely every opportunity all the way through to the point of making it to a baggy green, cap 445, which is the dream.”I was telling the guys just before I remember being up on the hill as a young lad drinking free coca cola on a Dollar Day, day three of a Shield game, I think it was a Sunday and Dizzy was charging in from one end and I think Vin [Nielsen] was taking the ball behind the stumps and that’s probably where the dream began, if not in the backyard pretending I was David Boon.”Retirement has arrived for Ferguson a few months in the wake of fatherhood, and he is now likely to juggle those duties with a continuing T20 career, most recently as a canny captain of the Sydney Thunder.

A struggling batting lineup, overdependence on Jasprit Bumrah and the lack of answers to Travis Head’s aggression are weaknesses that need urgent fixes

Ian Chappell15-Dec-2024Australia’s spirited and much needed win in the day-night Adelaide Test has not only added to the intensity of an already feisty series but also answered and posed a few questions.The thumping victory by Australia showed they haven’t lost their desire for winning. Australia also reminded anyone who doubted it that they definitely know how to win. These two factors were critical, as it was imperative Australia level the series.On the individual side, the ultra-aggressive Travis Head proved that India have not found an answer to his extravagant shot-making. His two-sided confrontation with Mohammed Siraj showed that a theatrical (and expensive) send-off is not the answer to derailing Head, especially when he’s already made 140.Related

• Rohit is used to leaving a mark, but not like this

• India need a first-innings fix, and quickly

• Travis Head and India's bowlers – the one-sided love story continues

• Head on Siraj send-off: 'I jokingly said 'well bowled', then he pointed me in the sheds'

• Rohit: 'We were not good enough with bat'

India need to find a way to seriously challenge Head with appropriate field placings that are matched by some sensibly aggressive bowling. At the moment Head is dominating, and in this mood he’s capable of quickly putting Australia in a position of strength with his middle-order pyrotechnics.The Australian pace bowlers, who were overly criticised in Perth, revealed why it’s unwise to poke the sleeping bear. Pat Cummins and Co. hit back in typically determined fashion by baring their lethal fangs. It remains to be seen if they can maintain that level of performance for three more demanding Tests without the aid of the Adelaide lights.Their supremacy in Adelaide not only displayed their talent and fire in the best light but it also exposed a few weak links in the Indian batting.Australia’s pace attack made patently clear how important it is to stifle the talented Yashasvi Jaiswal’s run-scoring. If India forge a strong opening partnership, it makes life a lot easier for their middle-order players. If the Australians continue to stifle Jaiswal, they have a chance to get Virat Kohli in early. Then it becomes important to get rid of him quickly. By doing so and keeping Jaiswal quiet, the Australians improve their chances of bringing the free-spirited Rishabh Pant to the crease while the ball is still reasonably new.However, India’s major batting headache is skipper Rohit Sharma. India will hope the middle order is the right spot for Rohit and he rediscovers his batting form.

The onus is now on India to regain the upper hand, as losing in Adelaide has allowed Australia to climb off the floor. In this heavyweight series the adage is appropriate: if you’ve got your opponent down, don’t allow him up.

His struggles with the bat were only matched by his occasionally confusing captaincy. He appeared to be conservative in both endeavours in Adelaide, but a more aggressive approach may jolt him out of his malaise.Australia have shown in this series they prefer to play Jasprit Bumrah carefully and comparatively conservatively. This is important, as Bumrah is a seriously dangerous opponent and one to be treated with respect. However, there is a thing of treating an opponent with too much respect. If Australia’s top order are looking to let as many balls of Bumrah’s go as possible, the Indian quick could be forgiven for thinking deliveries around off stump really worry the opposition. It’s fine to show respect but batters must always be thinking of how to score rather than of how many deliveries they can let go.The Indian pacemen, who rely heavily on Bumrah’s skill, were fortunate they had little bowling in the second innings in Adelaide; that will aid in their recovery process. However, India have to ensure they have the right bowling balance for the Gabba. Unfortunately they don’t have use of Mohammed Shami’s laudable talents; he would perfectly complement the skills of Bumrah and Siraj.The onus is now on India to regain the upper hand, as losing in Adelaide has allowed Australia to climb off the floor. In this heavyweight series the adage is appropriate: if you’ve got your opponent down, don’t allow him up.The remainder of this titillating series will answer which side has both the will and the determination to end the five Tests on top. However, the Gabba Test is crucial for both sides and while India may have won a glorious victory there last time, the ground is still known as the Gabbatoir.

The Boston Red Sox shook up the organization on Sunday by stunningly trading Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants just three years into his 10-year, $313.5 million deal.

The decision to trade Devers ultimately seems to have stemmed from his unwillingness to put the team first when it came to his defensive position. He was initially displeased about having to move to DH after the team acquired Alex Bregman to play third base, and was resistant to the idea of playing first base in the wake of Triston Casas's season-ending injury.

That didn't sit well with management and ownership, who ultimately pulled the plug on Devers's time in Boston.

Red Sox legend David Ortiz addressed Devers's departure during an interview with baseball content creator Yancen Pujols.

Ortiz offered his honest assessment of the situation, saying, "Players need to take this as an example. Nobody is indispensable. … You need to be smart and you need to understand the situation. Your worst enemy is your ego," Ortiz said, translated from Spanish.

Ortiz suggested that Devers wasn't willing to step forward as a leader and help his team by covering first base due to his ego, and that the trade is living proof that no player, regardless of their contract status or how long they've been in an organization, is out of reach of being traded, especially one who is quarreling with ownership.

Devers played nine seasons for the Red Sox and made three All-Star teams. This year, he has a .905 OPS with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in his first 73 games.

Big picture – 3-0 beckons for Afghanistan

Afghanistan will be eyeing their first ODI series whitewash against Bangladesh when they play the third and final ODI of the series in Abu Dhabi.They stormed Bangladesh in the second game, bowling them out for just 109 defending a modest 190. Given how the confidence of the two teams have gone in opposite directions in this series, Bangladesh turning things around might not be on the cards. For Afghanistan, it is about fixing their batting a bit, while allowing their best bowlers to express themselves as they have so far.They took down Bangladesh swiftly on Saturday. Azmatullah Omarzai took three of the first four wickets to fall, Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan fell trying to manufacture shots. Najmul Hossain Shanto was run out. Rashid Khan then ran through the middle and lower order with his accuracy, Towhid Hridoy and Nurul Hasan attempting slogs and missing. Nangeyalia Kharote had Jaker Ali’s number in the middle of Rashid’s burst of wickets.Related

• Bangladesh must 'play the ball, not the bowler' – Mushtaq

The bowlers had to do what they did since the batters hadn’t. Afghanistan struggled through the middle overs but Ibrahim Zadran made sure they hung around till the 45th over. Zadran struck just four boundaries in his 140-ball stay, underlining the importance of rotating the strike on the slow Abu Dhabi pitches. Despite the middle order hardly contributing, the likes of Kharote and AM Ghazanfar kept Zadran company.Compared to how Afghanistan have had several contributors, Bangladesh are finding it tough to locate even one or two. The batting frailties – they had scored 221 in the first ODI, which was knocked off with five wickets in hand – have weighed heavy on their overall approach.Afghanistan’s 190 was the lowest total batting first in 55 matches in Abu Dhabi. Bangladesh’s inability to chase down the small total was due to a misfiring top order, and how the middle-order batters surrendered to Rashid: “I think we have to sometimes play the ball, not the bowler,” Mushtaq Ahmed, their spin-bowling coach, said of the approach.Bangladesh’s bowling and fielding, however, have been good. They have tried to match Afghanistan’s spinners, while the pace attack has definitely bowled better than their counterparts. The bowlers have given the batters a chance. The batters, however, have not responded as expected.

Form guide

Afghanistan WWWLW
Bangladesh LLLWLIbrahim Zadran is the key man in the Afghanistan batting order•Afghanistan Cricket Board

In the spotlight – Ibrahim Zadran and Mehidy Hasan Miraz

Ibrahim Zadran is Afghanistan’s batting mainstay. He complements Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s aggression at the top, and then drops anchor for the middle-order batters, and if he continues to bat long enough, acts as the perfect foil for the big-hitting allrounders. Zadran’s strength lies in his adaptability, particularly between conditions. He also has the hunger for the big scores, as was evident in his 177 against England in the Champions Trophy this year. Zadran will once again be the key batter as Afghanistan look to make it 3-0 on Tuesday.Bangladesh’s captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz hasn’t been able to lift his team out of the funk. He is new to the job, but Mehidy is an established member of the ODI setup. There’s little question about his own ability to make half-centuries or take wickets, but that hasn’t translated into Bangladesh victories. He has an under-performing batting line-up, which has been the case for far too long. The onus is on him to change things around.

Team news – Rasooli to replace Rahmat

Rahmat Shah’s injury has opened the door for Darwish Rasooli to enter the middle order. They could also give an opportunity to seamers Abdollah Ahmadzai or Bilal Sami in place of the wicketless Bashir Ahmad.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Darwish Rasooli, 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 AM Ghazanfar, 10 Nangeyalia Kharote, 11 Abdollah Ahmadzai/Bilal SamiMohammad Naim and Shamim Hossain could give a break to Tanzid Hasan and the out-of-form Jaker. Nahid Rana could also get a game.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan /Mohammad Naim, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), 6 Nurul Hasan (wk), 7 Jaker Ali/Shamim Hossain, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan/Nahid Rana, 10 Tanvir Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Pitch and conditions – slow pitches make batting a grind

The generally sluggish nature of the Zayed Stadium pitches have meant that both sets of batters have struggled to find boundaries in the middle overs. The weather continues to be sizzling hot.

Stats and trivia: Rashid puzzle for Bangladesh

• Rashid now has six five-wicket hauls in ODIs, the second-highest for a legspinner behind Shahid Afridi, who has nine.
• Bangladesh’s 109 in the second ODI is their lowest score against Afghanistan. They couldn’t chase down 191 after Afghanistan made 190, the lowest score batting first in Abu Dhabi.
• Rashid has now dismissed Hridoy four times in ODIs, equal with Mushfiqur Rahim, as his most frequent Bangladeshi victim.

Lamine Yamal sent another message to Barcelona fans ahead of the club’s long-awaited return to Camp Nou, promising that “history will be written” at the renovated stadium. The teenager has been building excitement all week, sharing new images and captions as Barca prepare to host Athletic Club in their first match at their iconic home in over 900 days.

Yamal fires up with ‘history will be written’ Camp Nou message

Barca sensation Yamal has intensified the anticipation surrounding Barcelona’s return to the Camp Nou by posting another rallying message ahead of Saturday’s La Liga clash with Athletic Club. The 18-year-old winger, who has been sidelined from international duty due to treatment for pubalgia, is expected to feature this weekend despite his recent fitness concerns.

Barca have been preparing for their long-awaited return to Camp Nou after more than 900 days away, and Yamal has become the unofficial face of the excitement. Earlier in the week, he had shared a photo of the renovated stadium with the caption “Special nights are coming.” Now, he has doubled down on the sentiment.

On social media, Yamal changed his Instagram profile picture to an image of him clutching the Barca badge and added a powerful line: “Montjuic was the beginning. Camp Nou is where history will be written.” The message has gone viral among supporters eager to see Barca back at their famous home.

This will mark Barca’s first match at Camp Nou since May 2023, with the club playing at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuic during the extensive renovations. Despite being only 18, Yamal has already featured once at the old Camp Nou, his 2023 debut against Real Betis, and he now returns as one of the club's biggest stars.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportCamp Nou reopening creates historic moment

Barca’s return to their home has captured global attention, after receiving a new license from the local council, Barca are now cleared to host matches with a capped capacity of 45,401 fans while construction continues. Originally planned for late 2024, the return was delayed multiple times, but the club finally received approval on Monday to stage league matches.

The reopening comes after a successful test event in early November, where nearly 23,000 supporters attended an open training session inside the partially completed stadium. President Joan Laporta labelled the event “a success,” and the club filed the necessary documents shortly after to extend capacity for competitive fixtures.

Yamal's message reflects both personal ambition and the symbolic meaning this return carries for a young squad that includes several players yet to play a senior match at Camp Nou. The list of first-teamers awaiting their Camp Nou bow includes Fermin Lopez, Marc Casado, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joan Garcia, Marc Bernal, Roony Bardghji and Dro Fernandez. For them, Saturday’s match represents a landmark moment in their careers.

How Barca prepared for their historic return

Camp Nou has been closed since 2023 while renovation works transformed the arena into one of the most advanced stadiums in world football. Barca’s temporary move to Montjuic saw fluctuating attendances, and club officials maintained that a minimum capacity threshold was required for a return to be financially sustainable.

The initial permit granted in October would have allowed only 25,991 spectators, far too low for the costs involved. After the successful open training session and revised safety reports, the club finally secured approval to host over 45,000 fans, a number that allows them to generate significant matchday revenue once again.

The reopening arrives at a critical point in Barcelona’s season, and with the team chasing momentum in La Liga and still navigating complex squad-building challenges, returning to Camp Nou is expected to provide a psychological and competitive boost.

Yamal, one of the symbols of this new era, has become the emotional bridge between the old and new Camp Nou. For a player who made his debut at Camp Nou aged 15, stepping back into the stadium as a global star brings emotional weight.

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AFPCamp Nou return sets stage for crucial run of fixtures

Barca’s upcoming clash against Athletic Club marks the start of a demanding stretch for Blaurana. After their La Liga return to Camp Nou, the team travels to Chelsea for a Champions League showdown, before hosting Alaves and Atletico Madrid, matches now confirmed to be played at Camp Nou under the expanded capacity.

However, uncertainty remains over the Champions League home tie against Frankfurt on December 9. UEFA rules differ from La Liga’s on mid-season stadium changes, but Joan Laporta has expressed confidence that the match can be played at Camp Nou, with plans in motion to meet all required infrastructure standards, including covered areas for the directors’ box.

As the squad prepares for a busy run of fixtures and the emotional homecoming, all eyes will be on Camp Nou, and on the young winger who has positioned himself at the centre of Barcelona’s new era.

أدلى خوان لابورتا، رئيس نادي برشلونة الإسباني، بتصريحات حول عودة الفريق مجددًا إلى ملعب “كامب نو”، حيث يخوض البلوجرانا أول مباراة له بعد تجديدات الملعب، أمام أتلتيك بلباو يوم السبت المقبل، وتحدث عن النجم الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي.

وفاجأ ميسي جماهير برشلونة بالتواجد في ملعب “كامب نو” خلال زيارة له إلى إسبانيا، وقام بنشر الصور عبر حسابه على “إنستجرام”، وذلك دون ترتيب مسبق مع إدارة النادي.

لابورتا علّق أيضًا على الجدل الدائر حول استبعاد لامين يامال لاعب برشلونة من منتخب إسبانيا، بعد خضوعه لجراحة للتعافي من ألم العانة، وقد أوضح الاتحاد الإسباني أن الأمر تم دون تنسيق مع أطباء المنتخب.

وقال لابورتا في تصريحاته إلى “RAC 1” بشأن العودة للكامب نو: “إنها عودة إلى المستقبل، سنستعيد ذكريات الماضي ونتطلع إليها بشوق، ستكون لحظة تاريخية، وسنستعيد ميزة اللعب على أرضنا التي افتقدناها في مونتجويك، ستكون لحظة العودة رائعة، الآن نناضل من أجل المرحلة المتبقية (في التجهيزات)، هذا مستمر”.

اقرأ أيضًا | أتلتيك بلباو يصدر بيانًا رسميًا بشأن مباراته مع برشلونة في كامب نو

وبشأن إمكانية موافقة الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم (يويفا) على إلغاء مباراة برشلونة وآينتراخت فرانكفورت في ملعب مونتجويك وإقامتها على كامب نو، أفاد: “سنحصل على قرار الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم قريبًا، نأمل أن يكون إيجابيًا”.

وأكد: “نجري التعديلات اللازمة لتلبية المتطلبات، بالنسبة للدوري الإسباني، لم نتمكن من عزل جماهير الفريق المنافس (أتلتيك بلباو)، لذلك لن تكون هناك أي تذاكر متاحة، لكن هذا إلزامي للاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم، إذا لم تكن هناك تذاكر كافية لجماهير الفريق المنافس، فلن نتمكن من اللعب على أرضنا، لكنني متفائل”.

وحول مواجهة بلباو، أفاد لابورتا: “إنها مباراة جيدة، هناك تنافس قوي، وهم فريق رائع، سنرى أسلوبي لعب، يتناقصان تدريجيًا، مع لاعبين رفيعي المستوى، وأنا أعلم أن اللاعبين وهانز فليك على رأس القيادة متحمسون للغاية”.

كما أعرب لابورتا عن أسفه للضجة المحيطة بلاعبي برشلونة العائدين من المنتخب مقارنةً بلاعبي ريال مدريد قائلاً: “عندما يعود لامين إلى الوطن، تكون الانتقادات الإعلامية عارمة، أما عندما يحدث ذلك مع فريق آخر، فيتم التغاضي عنه وتجاهله بالكاد”.

وفيما يتعلق بتمثال ليونيل ميسي، أتم: “لم يعرض اقتراح النحات على العائلة بعد، ولكن سيتم عرض اقتراح مباراة التكريم والتمثال على كل حال”.

Matt Renshaw looms as a potential middle-order candidate in Australia’s ODI rebuild after being elevated to the captaincy of the Australia A 50-over team, while Jason Sangha’s stocks continue to rise after being named the four-day skipper for the upcoming matches against Sri Lanka A in Darwin.Australia A host Sri Lanka A in three 50-over matches, beginning on Friday at Marrara Oval, before the two teams play two four-day red-ball games starting on July 13 and July 20 to complete the series.Despite perennial Australia A captain and South Australia Sheffield Shield-winning captain Nathan McSweeney being in the squad, Australia’s selectors opted to give leadership opportunities to Renshaw and Sangha for this series. Chairman of selectors George Bailey said the decision was in line with recent Australia A series where the selectors have used matches to give players opportunities that they might not get in domestic cricket.Related

• McSweeney, Renshaw and Peake star in big Australia A win

• Peake picked for Australia A after one first-class game

• Darwin to host Australia A-Sri Lanka A series

• Sangha repays South Australia's faith with Shield final heroics

• Paine set to coach Australia A across three series this year

“Selectors’ acknowledged Nathan McSweeney’s excellent leadership qualities, noting he’s a natural leader who’s demonstrated this skill with Australia A, South Australia, and the Prime Minister’s XI,” Bailey said. “The Australia A programme is often used to provide development opportunities for players who haven’t had as much leadership experience. Nathan will continue to provide leadership within the series through his experience and assistance to Matt and Jason.”Renshaw, 29, has never captained Queensland and has only captained twice in 277 professional matches across all formats, leading Somerset in two matches in the Royal London Cup (one-day) competition in England in 2022. Sangha, 25, has quite a bit more captaincy experience by comparison, having led New South Wales in two Shield games and Sydney Thunder in six BBL games. He also led Australia at an Under-19 World Cup.Renshaw has often been thought of as a red-ball specialist having already played 14 Tests for Australia, after debuting aged 20, without ever being considered to play limited overs cricket at international level. But his white-ball domestic record is exceptional, particularly in the very challenging position of No. 4.He has scored six List A centuries, two at No. 3 and four at No. 4, and averages 40.04 striking at 93.10 overall. At No. 4, his average improves to 45.07 and strike rate lifts to 97.50. In his last ten List A matches for Queensland, he is striking at 112.69, including scores of 102 off 68 against Victoria and 122 off 99 against Tasmania.Australia are set to rebuild their ODI line-up over the next two years ahead of the 2027 World Cup following the retirements of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell. Renshaw’s 360-degree game against pace and spin, as well as providing another left-hand option, makes him a strong candidate to get an opportunity in the near future, with Australia’s squad for a three-match ODI series against South Africa in August to be announced soon.Jason Sangha will captain Australia A’s red-ball team against Sri Lanka A•Getty Images

Sangha gets the chance to build on his phenomenal Shield season for South Australia, where he made 704 runs at 78.22 with three centuries, including a match-winning 126 not out in the final against Queensland.Australia’s selectors are desperately searching for quality top three options in their Test XI, particularly in Sangha’s age bracket. Sangha did score one of his Shield centuries last summer at No. 3 but only averages 36.78 in that position across 33 innings at the first-class level. Like so many of Australia’s batting options, his record is far superior at No. 4, where he averages 45.25 from 36 innings with five centuries and seven half-centuries.There are several other players that have a chance to impress across the Australia A series including McSweeney. Two-Test batter Kurtis Patterson and domestic veteran Jake Weatherald have both been rewarded for outstanding Shield summers and have the chance to build a case for a top-three spot in the Test team given their experience in those positions.Victorian youngsters Campbell Kellaway, 22, and Oliver Peake, 18, will also get a chance to impress across the series with former Australia captain Tim Paine coaching Australia A for the first time.Australia A one-day squad: Sam Elliott, Matt Gilkes, Bryce Jackson, Zanden Jeh, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Ollie Peake, Josh Philippe, Jack Nisbet, Matt Renshaw (capt), Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Billy Stanlake, Henry ThorntonSri Lanka A one-day squad: Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara (capt), Lasith Croospulle, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Shiran Fernando, Isitha Wijesundara, Pramod Madushan, Mohamed Shiraz, Dushan Hemantha, Wanuja Sahan

Napoli were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by Eintracht Frankfurt at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, extending their run without a win in the Champions League. Antonio Conte praised Frankfurt’s “Italian-style catenaccio” approach, while lamenting his side’s missed chances and lingering absences. The result leaves Napoli with four points from four games and work to do to stay in contention.

Napoli held as Frankfurt sit deep

Napoli endured a second consecutive scoreless home match as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Frankfurt in the Champions League League Phase. The Partenopei arrived under pressure to respond to their 6-2 defeat at PSV, but despite dominating possession and territory, they were unable to break through a disciplined Frankfurt side at the Maradona.

Conte’s men controlled the tempo from the outset, circulating the ball patiently across midfield and waiting for Frankfurt to open up. Yet the visitors were resolute, dropping deep into a compact defensive shape and looking for chances to counter. Napoli’s main openings came from Eljif Elmas’ creative drives and Scott McTominay’s late runs, but neither player could convert, with the home side’s finishing once again falling short.

Frankfurt, meanwhile, were content to absorb pressure and strike sporadically on the break. Jean-Matteo Bahoya’s early drive was one of few shots that tested the Napoli goalkeeper, and ultimately, the visitors’ tactical discipline frustrated Napoli and claimed them a valuable away point.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'They've learned catenaccio well' – Conte speaks out

After the match, Napoli boss Conte expressed his frustration while also acknowledging Frankfurt’s tactical execution. Speaking to , he remarked: “They’ve learned how to play the Italian-style catenaccio system well. If we had played a game like that in Germany, they’d have called it old-fashioned football. We’re trying to bring a more European feel to the game.”

Conte underlined that the result was not due to a lack of commitment from his players. “It’s disappointing not to have scored, but I can’t fault my team for their commitment and dedication,” he said.

When asked about absences affecting the side, Conte continued, “It’s not fair to talk about absences, especially since [Romelu] Lukaku should be mentioned as well. The team has absorbed [Kevin] De Bruyne’s absence. We were short in the middle, but we're finding solutions. We need to work toward a goal.”

Catenaccio makes a return

Once the hallmark of Italian football identity, the famous catenaccio style emphasised deep defensive organisation, a sweeper behind the line, and fast counterattacks. While the traditional version has faded from elite football, its principles remain in modern disciplined low-block systems.

Frankfurt’s approach resembled that philosophy, narrow lines, limited spaces between defenders, and calculated transitions. Their plan forced Napoli into predictable wide combinations and shots from less dangerous zones.

Conte later added that Napoli actually dominated the match, telling reporters: “It was a high-level match and we dominated. If we had finished today, we would have won 2-0 or 3-0 and we’d be talking about a great Napoli.” Despite Napoli’s 64% possession, the German side controlled key defensive zones and rarely appeared stretched.

Conte’s reaction suggests a wider concern that Napoli are struggling to convert territorial dominance into cutting edge without injured creative leaders like De Bruyne who is out for long due to a serious thigh injury. Their decision-making and chemistry in the final third remain unresolved issues as fixtures tighten.

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Getty Images SportQualifications hanging on thread

The draw leaves Napoli on four points after four Champions League matches, still in contention but under pressure to secure qualification. They will host Qarabag on November 25, a match that now feels must-win, while Frankfurt face Atalanta a day later.

Domestically, Napoli travel to face Bologna on Sunday, at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. With back-to-back scoreless performances, Conte will demand sharper finishing, quicker attacking combinations, and greater confidence around the box.

Napoli’s season remains salvageable and structurally stable, but the margin for error is shrinking. A solution in the final third must arrive soon, or their Champions League campaign may yet slip away.