Harris, Bancroft and Renshaw are in the mix but the possibility remains of someone else being moved up the order

Alex Malcolm30-Dec-20235:10

‘A classic at the MCG’

Everything will be considered as far as David Warner’s replacement to open the batting for the West Indies series in January with Cameron Green still a serious contender to be recalled as part of a batting order reshuffle.Speaking the day after Australia’s 79-run win against Pakistan in Melbourne to claim the series 2-0 with a game to play in Sydney, coach and selector Andrew McDonald said that all options for Warner’s replacement remained open for discussion, and confirmed that included specialist openers Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw, as well as allrounder Green returning to the middle order.Australia’s side has remained settled throughout the Test summer with no injury issues or form concerns to speak of and looks likely to be unchanged for the third match in a row at the SCG which will mark Warner’s retirement from the format. Australia’s selectors are meeting on Saturday to confirm the squad but it is unlikely they will make a decision on Warner’s replacement until after the third Test against Pakistan.Related

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Bancroft: Opening the batting is a specialist position

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Warner picks Warner's replacement: 'Harris has always been next in line'

Harris makes most of his opportunity to push case as Warner's replacement

“All options will be considered,” McDonald said. “And I said we’re not going to make the decision until the deadline which will be the West Indies game.”There’s a few options. Everyone is well aware of the options. I’m a person that once you know when you’re going to make the decision, you make it at that point in time. Until then the discussions will be open. We’ll put a deadline on that. That’ll be the West Indies selection meeting.”The debate between picking a specialist or experienced opener in either Harris, Bancroft or Renshaw or picking the best six batters available and simply reshaping the batting order to accommodate them remains a real discussion point among the selectors, with the prospect of having two allrounders in Marsh and Green remaining very enticing.”Cameron Green, as a discussion around who are the best six batters, has definitely been in the conversation,” McDonald confirmed.Warner himself endorsed Harris as a possible successor during the Boxing Day Test, but McDonald noted with a wry smile that it was not a hint at the selectors’ thinking and that the retiring opener had endorsed a different name earlier in the year.Cameron Green has not featured in the Test side yet this season•Getty Images

“Davey’s not a selector,” McDonald said. “And I remember back to when I think Davey endorsed Matt Renshaw so I think the next one will probably be Cam Bancroft and then Cameron Green and he’ll have all bases covered, but…it’s great when a fellow player endorses someone else internally. It means that they’ve probably excluded other players as well, but he was asked his opinion and we’re happy with him to express that.”It is unlikely that the preferred candidate would be added to the Sydney squad to be reintroduced to the playing group given Bancroft and Renshaw have BBL commitments, although Harris does not have a BBL contract.Green also doesn’t have a BBL contract and has not played any cricket since the Prime Minister’s XI match against Pakistan in early December. There is a Cricket Australia XI tour match against West Indies at Karen Rolton Oval from December 10-12, prior to the first Test starting on January 17 at Adelaide Oval, but it is understood that he is unlikely to play in that game in order to get some match practice.Meanwhile, McDonald confirmed that Warner would apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to miss three ODIs and three T20Is against West Indies in early February in order to play for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 tournament that will be held in the UAE at the same time.McDonald said NOC’s would be handled by Cricket Australia’s head of national teams Ben Oliver and chairman of selectors George Bailey with each decision being made on a case-by-case basis.”He’ll apply for an NOC,” McDonald said. “It’s something that we work through anytime it’s in season. Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis went to the UAE last year as well. So every application is different in terms of the circumstances with what cricket they’ve got coming up, so I’m sure he’ll apply. It’ll be considered. George Bailey and Ben Oliver will work through that and there will be an outcome.”I think Matthew Wade was given an NOC to miss a Tasmania game for the IPL as well. I think every case should be considered individually.”

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Desde que iniciou a carreira de treinador, Fernando Diniz tem impressionado os aficionados pelo futebol bonito de suas equipes. Em sua segunda passagem pelo Fluminense, o técnico conseguiu ajustar velhos problemas e encerrou o Brasileirão na terceira posição com sete jogos invictos, depois do triunfo sobre o RB Bragantino.Sua ascensão revigora a expectativa do torcedor, que sonha com um 2023 com novas conquistas.

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Seja dentro ou fora de casa, o técnico procura sempre implementar um estilo próprio e autoral, diferente do que é empregado no futebol brasileiro. Um dos princípios é baseado em passes curtos, controle de bola e um time ofensivo, que precisa de um goleiro que saiba utilizar os pés para sair jogando sem chutões.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

Com um time mais compactado e a aproximação entre as linhas, os atletas passam a ter pelo menos três opções de passe e trabalham os passes curtos como uma roda de bobinho. Com isso, o time faz com que o adversário corra atrás da bola. O domínio evita que a equipe seja atacada e ainda faz com que fique mais próxima do gol.

Além da ideia de jogo bem definida, o treinador trabalha muito bem o psicológico de seus atletas. É comum ver jogadores elogiando e indicando que ele sabe extrair o melhor de cada um. A conexão entre os jogadores atrelados ao espírito de luta e de jamais desistir são empregados na filosofia que vai além das quatro linhas e se liga à vida humana.

Após o belo trabalho no Audax, Diniz passou a ter oportunidade em times da Série A, mas teimava em não apresentar variações dentro de uma mesma partida. Por vezes, tinha muita posse de bola, mas tornava-se improdutivo por não conseguir transformá-la diretamente em superioridade e gols.

Outro ponto bastante criticado era a fragilidade defensiva de seu sistema. Qualquer deslize na saída de bola deixa o time exposto. Enfrentar um adversário que marcasse a saída de bola, geralmente, acabava complicando sua equipe, como aconteceu na semifinal da Copa do Brasil diante do Corinthians.

+Cano supera recorde de Neymar e Gabigol e quebra marca que durava 50 anos no Brasileirão

De volta ao comando do tricolor, determinados aspectos mostraram evolução e foram importantes para a campanha. O sistema ofensivo foi organizado e, por vezes, letal com um artilheiro inspirado e muito eficiente. O meio de campo padeceu sem um homem a mais para dar sustentação, mas a entrada de Yago deu liberdade para Ganso flutuar e fazer o que sabe de melhor: construir.

A defesa, porém, ainda teve dificuldade, mas longe dos problemas demonstrados em Athletico-PR, Santos, São Paulo, Vasco e na primeira passagem pelo Fluminense. Nino e Manoel formaram uma boa dupla, mas necessitam de reservas jovens e leves para dar dinâmica à saída de bola.

Com 70 pontos, Diniz encerra a temporada de maneira oposta ao seu trabalho no São Paulo. Pela equipe paulista, chegou a liderar o Brasileirão, mas perdeu o fôlego. Agora, o momento é outro e faz com que o tricolor sonhe com um 2023 mais recheado de glórias a partir de um futebol bem jogado que acarrete em conquistas.

– Acho que é possível (conquistar títulos importantes). Só que a gente que está dentro, nós não somos torcida ou comentarista. Temos que ter um dado de realidade e procurar superar as dificuldades que o Fluminense enfrenta. Acho que o time terminou bem. É uma base importante para o ano que vem. Existe um descompasso, uma diferença muito grande no orçamento do Fluminense para os outros candidatos aos títulos. A temporada é longa. Mas temos que trabalhar e é possível – explicou:

+Fluminense fica em terceiro no Brasileirão e bate meta de premiação estipulada no início do ano

– É possível conquistar e é obrigatório sonhar com as coisas. Temos que sonhar como o torcedor sonha, mas temos que trabalhar e superar as realidades. Quem tem que fazer isso é quem trabalha no clube: jogador, comissão técnica e demais funcionários. Fluminense é gigante, como tem outros, mas falando do clube, o orçamento comparado aos de outros gigantes é muito distante. Temos que trabalhar forte, saber da realidade – concluiu Diniz.

The Newcastle striker is at the centre of this summer's longest-running tug of war in a throwback to some epic transfer tussles of the past

Newcastle wantaway Alexander Isak is pulling out all the textbook moves to force a switch to Liverpool; having told the Magpies he wants to leave, the striker has been left out of a friendly, pulled out of the pre-season tour and, of course, gone 'AWOL'. It's a throwback to some of the great transfer sagas of years gone by, and it seems to have some way to run yet.

A matter of days after Liverpool made their interest clear, Isak was sent home ahead of Newcastle's friendly defeat to Celtic having been unsettled by the intense speculation surrounding him. Then, after Al-Hilal joined the race for his signature, the striker was left out of the Magpies' pre-season tour to Asia due to a supposed thigh injury.

Reports that he had gone 'AWOL' soon followed amid the Tynesiders' refusal to sell, and it emerged that he had been training at former club Real Sociedad in Spain, rather than at Newcastle's facilities, in a bid to get back to full fitness. Isak wants to join the Reds, and it's even been claimed that he could even take the 'nuclear' option of unilaterally terminating his contract to make the move happen.

This one's not over yet, but how does the saga centring around Isak compare to some of the most infamous in football history? GOAL runs through the top 10:

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Luis Figo (Barcelona to Real Madrid)

  Few possess the cojones to cross the fierce Clasico divide, but that's exactly what Luis Figo did as he became the most expensive player ever in 2000 when swapping Barcelona for Real Madrid, supposedly due to feeling undervalued at Camp Nou and displeasure with the way the Blaugrana were being run at the time.

  The perceived betrayal drew a vitriolic response from the Barcelona faithful, who infamously greeted the Portuguese icon by launching a pig's head at him as he attempted to take a corner on his first return to Camp Nou in 2002. Figo will probably feel he had the last laugh, though, claiming the Ballon d'Or in 2001 and going on to win the Champions League in 2002, cementing his status as a great of the game.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Steven Gerrard (Liverpool to Chelsea or Real Madrid)

  In 2005, it seemed for all the world that Jose Mourinho had somehow managed to convince Steven Gerrard to ditch his boyhood club and join his revolution at Stamford Bridge. Having failed to sign him the previous year, Chelsea went again with a £32 million offer that summer after the midfielder flirted with an exit mid-season, with furious Liverpool fans even burning his shirt and graffitiing 'traitor' at the Reds' training ground.

  That bid was rejected, with Real Madrid in the race too, and Gerrard, then 25, went to the lengths of handing in a transfer request despite a club-record £100,000-per-week contract offer being on the table. "This has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make," he said at the time.

  However, just 24 hours later, he dramatically U-turned on his decision and penned a new deal at Anfield, with the club apologising for how talks had initially been conducted.

• Getty Images
  

  Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP to Arsenal)

  The other Swedish striker at the heart of a transfer saga this summer, Viktor Gyokeres was always expected to make a big-money move once the window opened after another prolific season with Sporting CP in Portugal – the only question was where and when.

  Despite widespread interest, it became clear that the 'where' would be Arsenal, but the Gunners and the player himself had to fight tooth and nail to make the deal happen. Gyokeres became embroiled in a bitter war of words with the Sporting president, who had apparently reneged on a gentleman's agreement that he could leave, and went AWOL when pre-season training began. Sporting also quibbled over add-ons, but Arsenal eventually landed him for £64m ($86m).

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  Kaka (AC Milan to Man City)

  In the first transfer window following their Abu Dhabi-backed takeover in September 2008, Manchester City were determined to make AC Milan superstar Kaka the poster boy of their project. They reportedly tabled what was an unprecedented, world-record sum worth £100m, as well as an incredibly lucrative £500,000-per-week contract. However, the Brazilian ultimately rejected City's riches after a vociferous reaction from Milan fans to his potential departure.

  He said at the time: "At the moment I don't want to change anything. All the messages that I received said to choose with the heart and I think in the end that has been the decision. It is absolutely not about money."

  The Rossoneri's late owner, Silvio Berlusconi, added: "Kaka has refused the offer from Manchester City, giving privilege to Milan, his companions and his fans. The fans are delighted too. Turning down so much money is something to admire." Ironically, the Brazilian would join Real Madrid in June 2009 for a significantly lower sum, citing the global financial crisis and the need to help Milan.

MatériaMais Notícias

Primeiro reforço anunciado pelo São Paulo para a próxima temporada, o meia-atacante Pedrinho já falou como jogador tricolor. Em entrevista à SPFC Play, ele revelou a ansiedade para trabalhar com o técnico Rogério Ceni no CT da Barra Funda e não escondeu a alegria por vestir a camisa do clube do Morumbi.

– O torcedor são-paulino pode esperar de mim muita raça e vontade dentro de campo. Vou procurar honrar a camisa. É um sentimento inexplicável vestir a camisa de um gigante desse, estou me sentindo realizado, família toda feliz. Espero ter muito sucesso aqui, vou dar o meu máximo para honrar essa camisa e dar muita alegria aos torcedores.

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+Endrick perto de ser vendido para gigante europeu, São Paulo encaminha acerto com goleiro… o Dia do Mercado!

Mudanças constantes de clubes é uma das características que marcam a carreira de Pedrinho, 23 anos, até aqui. Revelado pelo Juventus da Mooca, foi para o Audax, de Osasco, onde se profissionalizou em 2017. Desde então já foram cinco clubes diferentes na carreira, incluindo Bragantino e Athletico.

O novo reforço chega por empréstimo de um ano junto ao Lokomotiv, da Rússia, com valor estabelecido para compra em definitivo. Chamou a atenção de Ceni pela temporada passada que fez pelo América-MG. E não vê a hora de retribuir a confiança.

– O Rogério é uma referência não só aqui no São Paulo, mas também mundial. É um cara que sempre vi vídeos e tenho ele como referência, minha família também, estou muito ansioso para trabalhar com ele. O que eu puder escutar e captar dele vai ser muito bom. É um cara que pode me ajudar muito a crescer, estou muito ansioso para conhecê-lo e trabalharmos juntos.

+Volta de Rogério Ceni destrava negociações, e São Paulo começa a montar 2023

Meia que pode fazer a função de ponta por sua velocidade e habilidade, Pedrinho aponta dois ex-nomes do Tricolor como suas referências no futebol: Antony e Falcão, ex-jogador de futsal.

– Minhas referências no futebol são o Neymar e o Antony, são jogadores muito habilidosos, procuro sempre assistir vídeos. Como eu joguei futsal também me inspiro muito no Falcão, que jogou aqui no São Paulo, é uma referência para mim também.

– Minha meta é ajudar o São Paulo a conquistar todos os objetivos da temporada, dar alegrias aos torcedores, deixar uma boa impressão e fazer gols e dar assistências aos meus companheiros. Se doar ao máximo, honrar essa camisa e, se Deus quiser, ganhar títulos – completou Pedrinho.

> Confira tabela e resultados da Copa do Mundo-22 no Qatar
​> Confira tabela, classificação e simule resultados do Paulistão-23

Las Águilas make their tournament debut Wednesday against Real Salt Lake at America First Field.

América comes into the match with one win and two draws in the Apertura 2025Last year, they were eliminated in the Leagues Cup quarterfinalsJavairo Dilrosun was not registeredGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

América begin their 2025 Leagues Cup journey on Wednesday at America First Field against Real Salt Lake. André Jardine’s side returns to the international stage, still seeking a breakthrough under the Brazilian coach. Despite dominating Liga MX in recent years – eaching four straight finals and winning three consecutive titles prior to their finals loss to Toluca – the club has struggled outside domestic competition.

Last year, despite being heavy favorites, América suffered a painful exit in the quarterfinals, falling to Colorado in a penalty shootout. Jardine acknowledged that disappointment still lingers, but said his team arrives hungry for redemption.

"I really like the Leagues Cup" said Jardine in a press conference. "I feel it’s a competition with a lot of potential. We want to break barriers. We already won the Campeones Cup, which is an important title, but we want more, and América will fight for the title. Once again, we come in excited and willing to give everything."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The team finds itself in its worst stretch in years, having missed out on every major trophy it has contested in 2025 so far. Still, Jardine urged patience. Fans are beginning to demand results – something that has always been part of Club América’s DNA. After years of glory and getting used to winning every tournament, supporters now expect the team to climb back to the top.

"Maybe we’re going through a rebuilding phase, like I’ve said before, but with the confidence and certainty that we’ll once again be a strong, solid team capable of reaching the decisive stages and fighting for titles," he explained. "The group is focused and committed to working hard every day to achieve that. Sometimes you just have to get through rough patches like this one."

Getty Images SportWHAT JOSÉ ZÚÑIGA SAID

New América striker Jose Zuniga, who has already scored his first goal in Liga MX with the club, stressed the importance of a good start.
"It’s very important to start with three points. This is a tournament that gives us opportunities. We’re going to play a great match and come out victorious."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CLUB AMÉRICA?

América’s Leagues Cup group is far from easy. After facing Pablo Mastroeni’s Real Salt Lake tonight, will take on Minnesota United and the Portland Timbers in their remaining group matches.

Four balls, 20 runs – the wait for MS Dhoni to bat was well worth it for his fans and team-mates alike at the Wankhede on Sunday

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Apr-2024

19.1, Hardik to Mitchell, 1 wide
Width outside off, Mitchell is beaten as he tries to cut and pick the gap at deep point. Wide signalled, Hardik reviews, but replays confirm it was well outside the marker with the batter making no attempt to move around the crease. The wide stands.19.1, 4, Hardik to Mitchell, FOUR runs
Heaved down the ground, beats Nabi running around from long-on! Brute force.19.2, Hardik to Mitchell, 1 wide
Spears it way outside off in anticipation of the batter moving around, another wide. Challenged once again, wonder why.19.2, Hardik to Mitchell, OUT
Muscled to long-on where Nabi takes an excellent catch on the move. Mitchell stood on off stump and tried to swing cleanly into the leg side, struck it well but couldn’t get the elevation. That ball was travelling.Mitchell must be wondering why they’re all applauding. The noise levels are going up by the second. Wankhede roars. They’re up to applaud a legend. In comes MS Dhoni. The noise has just shot through the roof.19.3, 6, Hardik to Dhoni, SIX runs
What a hit! That’s an MS Dhoni special. Hardik feeds a sweet hit-me length to MS, still has to be hit alright and he clobbers this over long-off.19.4, 6, Hardik to Dhoni, SIX runs
That’s smacked over long-on! Swatted powerfully and disdainfully. Hardik makes the cardinal sin of bowling length, Dhoni has a free swing across the line. It’s a flat hit. Wow, just wow.19.5, 6, Hardik to Dhoni, SIX runs
Make that three in a row! Hardik loses the plot as he goes full searching for a yorker, but ends up bowling a full toss on leg stump and Dhoni simply swats that over square leg. Tremendous bat speed.19.6, Hardik to Dhoni, 2 runs
Looks to heave this slower delivery across the line, gets an inside edge that flies wide of the stumps, Ishan can only half-stop and Dhoni squeezes in a second. What a sensational finish!

Central Sparks ended their 50-over hoodoo against the Blaze with an emphatic 78-run victory on the opening day of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy season at Edgbaston. Eve Jones’ side had never beaten Blaze in the 50-over format but took advantage of the visitors’ long absentee list due to injury and international commitments to start the season in style.After choosing to bat, Sparks made a total that was decent rather than imposing after numerous batters made a start but didn’t build on it. Only Abi Freeborn, with 53 from 87 balls, stayed long enough against a disciplined attack led by Grace Ballinger and Sophie Munro.Blaze’s reply was then hit by a superb opening spell of 7-4-5-2 from Emily Arlott as they lurched to 14 for 3 in ten overs. Nadine de Klerk, just hours after landing in the UK from South Africa, resisted with 43 off 65 but was one of three victims for spinner Hannah Baker as Blaze’s depleted team subsided.Sparks’ innings started slowly in the face of a fine new-ball burst from de Klerk who conceded just four runs in her first four overs. When Jones tried to shed the shackles, she was bowled trying to flick Ballinger to leg.Chloe Brewer greeted the left-arm spin of Kirstie Gordon with a crisp reverse sweep for four but paid a high price for trying to repeat the shot to a ball which was too far up, falling lbw. Munro maintained the pressure for Blaze with an opening spell of 7-1-18-1 which included the removal of Davina Perrin, bowled off stump.Former Warwickshire allrounder Marie Kelly drifted a beauty past Ami Campbell to have her stumped but Freeborn advanced to a composed 82-ball half-century before missing a swipe at Munro and perishing, stumped by Ella Claridge. Katie George provided some late impetus with a 30-ball 32 with five fours before she was yorked by de Klerk.Sparks started superbly with the ball as Arlott and Issy Wong both conceded just two from their first two overs. Arlott opened with 5-3-4-2 after removing Teresa Graves, caught at mid-on, and Kelly, bowled behind her legs. Wong beat Munro for pace to win an lbw decision and when Claridge missed a slog at Bethan Ellis and was bowled, Blaze were 39 for 4 in the 18th over.De Klerk and Daisy Mullan, making her debut on a five-match loan from Thunder, halted the slide and added 51 in 77 balls before the introduction of Baker ended the revival. The spinner removed both in five balls, each time defeating an attempted cut as Mullan nicked to the wicketkeeper and de Klerk was bowled middle stump.Baker added a third wicket when Michaela Kirk ladled to deep midwicket where George, having shelled two earlier chances, this time held on.

The LSG fast bowler was yet to play a match this season

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2024Lucknow Super Giants’ Shivam Mavi has been ruled out of IPL 2024 with an injury.In a video posted by the franchise on Instagram, Mavi, without specifying the nature of the injury, said: “I will miss [the tournament] a lot. I had come here after an injury and had thought I would play matches for my team and do well. But unfortunately, I will have to leave because I have suffered an injury.”A cricketer has to be mentally strong for this. If you have an injury, you need to see what you have to do to make a comeback, what things you need to take care of.”Later, PTI reported that it was a rib injury.Mavi, who was bought by LSG for INR 6.4 crores at this year’s auction, last played a competitive match in August 2023.

You'll come back stronger, Shivam. And we're with you all the way. :blue_heart: pic.twitter.com/zYSs3URV1p

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 3, 2024