The World Test Championship is likely to expand to 12 teams from 2027

Tristan Lavalette11-Nov-2025The next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is likely to feature all 12 Full Members in one division after plans to split nations into two tiers failed to gain widespread support, while a resurrection for the short-lived ODI Super League is also on the cards.A working group, led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, tasked with addressing pressing issues over cricket’s three formats provided recommendations to the ICC board and Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) during last week’s quarterly meetings in Dubai.There had been a sense of urgency behind it with countries already having started conversations for bilateral series that will be part of the next WTC cycle (2027-29).A two-tier system, which has cropped up in talks periodically for over a decade, was again among topics discussed when the working group was formed at the ICC annual conference in July.But doubts over whether a funding model could be implemented contributed to scuppering the two-tier model. It had been mooted that India, England and Australia could support those in division two through a financial distribution, but those talks did not go far.Nations likely to occupy division two, such as West Indies, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, were opposed to the idea due to the likely lack of playing opportunities against the bigger nations.Promotion and relegation was also a thorny issue, the big three concerned about the financial impacts of relegation.”We wouldn’t want, as England, we may go through a fallow period, and that means, what, we fall into Division Two and we don’t play Australia and India?” ECB chief Richard Thompson told the BBC in August. “That couldn’t happen. There has to be a sense that common sense needs to play out here.”Instead the working group has proposed a 12-team WTC, with Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland, potentially part of an expanded league for the next cycle, which begins in July 2027. The teams will be expected to play a minimum number of Tests – the exact number is not yet known – during the cycle. No extra funding is likely to be available for hosting Tests – which has been part of the struggle for members such as Ireland.”It guarantees that everyone is playing Test cricket,” a board director told ESPNcricinfo. “Those that really want to play the format now have opportunities and there is an incentive for other teams to play them.”There were also developments on the white-ball formats, with the ODI Super League possibly to be revived, having been scrapped following the 2023 World Cup.The 13-team league, which only began in July 2020, had been developed in a bid to create more context for the waning 50-over format. But it fell by the wayside amid an increasingly cramped calendar much to the chagrin of smaller Full Members and Associates.The proposal did not detail how many teams would be part of a new league, which can only return from 2028.”The Super League could help revitalise the 50-over format,” one administrator said. “Maybe the problem is not that the format is necessarily dead, it’s finding the proper structure.”There does not appear to be any push to increase the number of teams at 50-over World Cups, which will be a 14-team competition in 2027 after being limited to just ten in the previous two editions.The T20 World Cup is also set to remain at 20 teams even though there is a push from some administrators to incrementally increase it by four, with the aim ultimately of getting to 32 teams.Hall of Famers Matthew Hayden and Hashim Amla with the WTC mace•ICC via Getty

Associate members have also put forward a proposal into revamping the T20 World Cup qualifying format. In a similar concept to the men’s Olympic qualifying pathway, and commonly seen in other major sports, a global qualifier would determine the final spots and may feature not only Associates but Full Members who did not automatically qualify through rankings.A global qualifier is hoped to provide a revenue source for Associates, while appeasing some Asian nations who believe the current regional pathway limits their chances of qualifying for T20 World Cups.Associate administrators hope the global tournament can be part of the qualification process for the 2028 T20 World Cup.Despite having some influential support, with leagues popping up around the globe, the 90-minute T10 won’t be an official format.The board is expected to debate these issues at the next ICC meetings early next year.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl recently revealed that he needs players who “understand” what it means to play for the Ibrox giants.

With the January transfer window less than a month away, the German manager said that he has learned which of his players are up to the task of playing for the club.

Whilst he said that he knows which players need to improve, the window will provide him with a chance to replace those players instead of trying to help them improve.

Rangers lining up move for new midfielder

Despite sporting director Kevin Thelwell’s departure at the start of last week, there is already work going on in the background to bolster the former Sheffield Wednesday manager’s side.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to GIVEMESPORT, Glasgow Rangers are one of the clubs eyeing up a deal to sign exciting Tromso central midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl in the upcoming January transfer window.

The report claims that the Light Blues have sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old talent in action in recent weeks, as Rohl lines up a move to sign the midfield whiz.

It adds, though, that Premier League side Sunderland are also interested in Hjerto-Dahl, which means that there could be some stiff competition for his signature in January.

GIVEMESPORT also reports that the Norwegian youngster is not expected to cost a fortune, although no exact price tag has been mentioned.

Why Rangers should sign Hjerto-Dahl

Rangers should push to beat Sunderland to a deal for the 20-year-old central midfielder because he could be a Nicolas Raskin repeat for the Scottish Premiership giants.

The Gers signed the Belgian star from Standard Liege in January 2023 for a fairly modest fee of £1.7m, in a move that could be replicated by Hjerto-Dahl, who could sign in January for another modest fee, given that he is not expected to cost a fortune.

On top of the Tromso midfielder potentially joining in a similar transfer deal, the Norwegian gem could also offer similar qualities to Raskin in the middle of the park with his performances.

Hjerto-Dahl, who was described as a “unicorn” by Belgian scout Elijah Michiels, is another central midfielder who can make an impact at both ends of the pitch as a natural number eight.

The Rangers and Sunderland transfer target has been a regular for Tromso in the Eliteserien in the 2025 campaign, starting 28 of his 30 appearances, and has shown some promising signs with his displays.

Appearances

30

33

Goals

4

4

Assists

4

10

Successful dribbles per game

1.3

1.0

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.5

3.4

Possession won in final third

0.6

0.5

Duels won per game

5.1

6.6

As you can see in the table above, he has some fairly similar statistics in comparison to Raskin’s full season in the Premiership last term, with his work in and out of possession, which is why he is such an exciting prospect.

Given that Hjerto-Dahl is four years younger than the Belgium international, his statistics in comparison to the Rangers star’s are fairly impressive, as they show that he can impact games as a scorer and a creator of goals, without neglecting the defensive side of the game.

The Norway U21 international could arrive in January and use the first five months to adjust to Scottish football and life in Glasgow, as Raskin did in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, before being ready to shine in the 2026/27 campaign.

Whilst supporters may not want to hear about long-term signings and preparing for next season, the reality of the situation is that the Gers are already nine points off first place in the league, have not won a game in the Europa League, and are already out of the League Cup.

Worse than Miovski: Ibrox flop just played his worst game for Rangers

This Glasgow Rangers flop played his worst game for the club in the 2-1 defeat to Dundee United on Wednesday.

ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2025

Instead of chasing short-term results and signings, Rangers need to ensure that they have a long-term strategy in place that will ensure that they are competitive in the long run, which Hjerto-Dahl will, hopefully, be a part of.

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O Palmeiras entra em campo na noite desta quinta-feira (23) no Estádio Santa Cruz, em Ribeirão Preto, para encarar o Botafogo-SP, no jogo que pode garantir o Verdão nas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil de 2024.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

Com o retorno de Aníbal Moreno, recuperado de um trauma no olho, Abel Ferreira deve contar com força máxima para jogar até pelo empate que já garante o Palmeiras na próxima fase.

Endrick, recuperado de um edema na coxa direita, ocorrido na semana passada no Allianz Parque, também está confirmado para fazer o seu penúltimo jogo com a camisa alviverde.

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A única dúvida de Abel Ferreira no time titular deve ser no ataque, onde Lázaro e Flaco López brigam por uma vaga ao lado de Endrick e Estevão.

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O provável Palmeiras para encarar o Botafogo-SP é: Weverton, Mayke, Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Zé Rafael e Raphael Veiga; Endrick, Estevão e Lázaro (Flaco López).

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The Yankees have once again ended a season without winning a World Series as they had their year come to an end Wednesday night with a 5-2 loss at home to the Blue Jays in Game 4 of their American League Division Series.

The Yankees now enter the offseason with questions about the future of their manager, Aaron Boone, and questions about what roster moves they can make in order to try to win their first title since way back in 2009.

Yankees great Derek Jeter was on Fox's postgame show and during his breakdown of yet another disappointing finish for the franchise he spoke about what the roughest thing was for Yankees fans to stomach after falling short of a championship again.

"What's tough is for the Yankee fans, this is the second year in a row they've watched another team celebrate on their home field and you can feel the frustration," the Hall of Famer said.

Jeter also had a very honest statement about this year's Yankees team.

"Aaron [Boone] said it. They got beat. They got beat," Jeter said. "Last year you could sit back and talk about the World Series and Game 5 and that the Yankees beat themselves in that particular game. In this series the Toronto Blue Jays proved they are a better team. From top to bottom they are a better team."

Here are Jeter's full comments:

It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do moving forward and how different the team will look next season.

As for right now, it has to be a rough day for the team's fans because so much is expected from this club every season, which means every playoff exit stings even more. Especially when they have to see another team celebrating on their home field.

شن جيمي كاراجر، النجم السابق لنادي ليفربول، هجومًا شرسًا على المصري محمد صلاح بسبب التصريحات النارية التي أدلى بها ضد إدارة الفريق والمدرب آرني سلوت قبل يومين.

كان محمد صلاح قد أشعل أزمة قوية بعدما أدلى بتصريحات هجومية، مساء يوم السبت، حيث انتقد أسلوب تعادل إدارة ليفربول معه، وكذلك المدرب آرني سلوت، نتيجة تهميشه مؤخرًا في المباريات.

ولكن ما قاله محمد صلاح لم ينل إعجاب جيمي كاراجر، الذي استغل تواجده في برنامج “ليلة الإثنين لكرة القدم” عبر قناة “سكاي سبورتس” منذ قليل.

وقال كاراجر: “أرى أن ما فعله محمد صلاح بعد المباراة كان مخزيًا، وصفه البعض بأنه انفعال عاطفي، لكنني لا أعتقد ذلك، أعتقد أنه كلما توقف في المنطقة المختلطة للإعلام، وهو ما فعله أربع مرات خلال ثماني سنوات في ليفربول، فإن ذلك مُدبر بينه وبين وكيله لإحداث أقصى ضرر ممكن وتعزيز مكانته”.

وأضاف في تصريحاته التي نشرتها مجلة “فور فور تو” العالمية كاملة: “لقد فعل ذلك قبل 12 شهرًا، وقد انتقدته في هذا البرنامج، لقد لعب على أوتار قلوب جماهير ليفربول، كان الفريق في صدارة الدوري الإنجليزي آنذاك، وقد سجل هدف الفوز في ساوثهامبتون، كان ذلك هو الوقت المناسب للضغط على مالكي ليفربول (من أجل تجديد عقده)”.

وواصل: “لذلك رفعت جماهير ليفربول لبقية الموسم، لافتات كُتب عليها (اعطوا محمد صلاح ماله)، لقد اختار هذا الأسبوع للقيام بذلك الآن، انتظر نتيجة سيئة، فقد استقبلوا هدفًا في اللحظة الأخيرة (ضد ليدز يونايتد)، يشعر مشجعو ليفربول، والمدرب، والنادي بأكمله، أن الوضع في مأزق حاليًا، وقد اختار ذلك الوقت لمهاجمة المدرب وربما محاولة إقالته، هذا ما شعرت به حيال الأمر”.

وأردف: “أكثر ما لفت انتباهي فيما قاله محمد صلاح، عبارة (لقد تخلى النادي عني)، كان صلاح هو من تخلى عن النادي مرتين خلال الـ12 شهرًا الماضية في المواقف التي ذكرتها للتو، بعدما هاجم المُلاك في البداية، وهم المُلاك الذين يدفعون له مئات الآلاف من الجنيهات الإسترلينية منذ ست سنوات، اشتكى قبل عام لأنهم لم يمنحوه عقدًا جديدًا في سن الثانية والثلاثين، النادي مُحق تمامًا في فعل ذلك”.

وشدد: “مع المدرب الحالي، يجب على صلاح أن يبذل قصارى جهده من أجل مساعدة النادي على الخروج من أسوأ سلسلة نتائج مر بها منذ خمسينيات القرن الماضي، وهو لم يفعل ذلك، لكن عندما فكرت في الأمر خلال عطلة نهاية الأسبوع ووضعت نفسي مكان صلاح أو كيف كنت كلاعب، أدركت أنني لست محمد صلاح”.

واستأنف: “محمد صلاح لاعب مشهور عالميًا، فهل يجب معاملة هؤلاء اللاعبين بشكل مختلف؟ أعتقد أنه يجب ذلك، عندما تفكر في اللاعبين في هذه الفئة على مدار السنوات الثماني الماضية، ميسي ورونالدو ومبابي، لن أضع صلاح معهم، لكنه قريب جدًا منهم لما قدمه لـ ليفربول”.

وأوضح: “إنه شخصية أسطورية، وجميع هؤلاء اللاعبين يتمتعون بامتياز، تمامًا كما يتمتع محمد صلاح في ليفربول، فهو لا يضطر للدفاع، ولا يضطر للرجوع إلى الخلف (للمساندة على الصعيد الدفاعي)”.

وأكد: “هذا ما يفعله في ليفربول، ولكن عندما نتحدث عن خداع الآخرين، فقد خدع محمد صلاح ليفربول مرة أخرى لثماني سنوات، تخيلوا اللعب خلفه لثماني سنوات، لكننا نقبل ذلك لأنه نجم، وقد سجل 250 هدفًا، وقد منحني، كمشجع لليفربول، بعضًا من أروع ليالي حياتي وأنا أشاهده وأشاهد ما قدمه”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. سلوت عن تصريحات محمد صلاح: لست ضعيفًا.. وقررنا الرد على ما قاله بطريقتنا

ولم يكتفِ كاراجر بذلك، بل قال: “ولكن عندما تفكر في غرور هؤلاء اللاعبين، رونالدو، ميسي، مبابي، محمد صلاح، أعتقد أن لديهم شعورًا بأن نجاح أي فريق يعود إليهم، لا مشكلة لدي في ذلك لأنني أعتقد أن هذا يدفعهم لتسجيل المزيد من الأهداف وتحقيق المزيد من النجاح، وهذا يفيد ليفربول، ولكن عندما تكون في موقف كهذا، وعندما يتحدث محمد صلاح عن عدد الأهداف التي سجلها (أنا سجلت أهدافًا أكثر من أي لاعب آخر في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، كما فعلت الموسم الماضي) فهو دائمًا يتحدث عن نفسه”.

وواصل: “شيء واحد أريد فقط تذكير محمد صلاح، وربما وكيله، هل كان ذلك قبل انضمامه إلى ليفربول؟ كان معروفًا بأنه الرجل الذي فشل في تشيلسي، هذه حقيقة، لم يفز بأي لقب كبير قبل انضمامه إلى ليفربول، إنه أيضًا أعظم لاعب في تاريخ منتخب بلاده في مصر، هم أكثر المنتخبات نجاحًا في كأس أمم إفريقيا، ولكنه لم يفز بالبطولة قط، هذا لا يعني أنني أحاول التقليل من شأن محمد صلاح كلاعب، لقد قلت للتو إنه من أفضل لاعبي العالم في السنوات الثماني الماضية، وقليلون هم من يتفوقون عليه، لكن ما يمكن فهمه من هذا هو أن الأمر لا يتعلق بشخصية محمد صلاح، هو لم يكن نجمًا كبيرًا قبل انضمامه إلى ليفربول، لم يفز بأي شيء حقًا”.

وفي سياق ذلك أيضًا، قال: “مهما بلغت مهارتك كلاعب، فأنت بحاجة إلى مساعدة زملائك في الفريق، ومدربك، وجماهيرك، وأعتقد أنه من المهم جدًا أن يتذكر ذلك، وعندما يتحدث بعد المباراة، في خضمّ هذه الفوضى، يكون كل ما يهمه هو أنا، أنا، أنا!”.

وعن جملة محمد صلاح في تصريحاته بأن كاراجر سيخرج الصبح إلى وسائل الإعلام لمهاجمته، قال: “هل سبق لي أن انتقدت محمد صلاح في الملعب حسنًا، قبل أسبوعين قلت إن ساقيه يبدو قد تضررتا، هذا أمر يحدث لكل لاعب، هذا ليس انتقادًا له كلاعب، لم أنتقده قط لعدم رجوعه إلى الخلف، لم أنتقده قط عندما لعب مباريات دون تسجيل أي هدف، لم أنتقده قط عندما لم يمرر الكرة لأحد ما بينما كان يجب عليه التمرير للآخرين أحيانًا، لأنه أسطورة حقيقية في النادي، وبالنظر إلى ما تحصل عليه منه، فعليك أن تتحمل بعض الأمور”.

واعترف: “بعض الانتقادات الموجهة لمحمد صلاح هذا الموسم كانت مبالغًا فيها، لقد قلت ذلك علنًا، لكنني سأهاجمه عندما يحاول الإساءة لفريقي خارج الملعب ويفكر في نفسه فقط، لذا سأفعل ذلك بالتأكيد، ماذا كان يجب أن يفعل؟ فيما يتعلق بهذا الموسم، فيما يتعلق بكيفية سير الأمور، كما تعلم، فهو رجل يفتخر بنسه للغاية، كما تقول، لديه غرور كبير، لقد تُرك على مقاعد البدلاء لثلاث مباريات، حسنًا، دعنا نفهم أن الرقم واحد هو آرني سلوت، قبل ثلاث مباريات من هذه السلسلة من التهميش، استقبل الفريق 10 أهداف في ثلاث مباريات، إحداها ضد آيندهوفن. صلاح مُحرج من حيث الوضع الذي وُجد به، بعد ذلك جاءت مباراة وست هام حيث إنه فريق كبير في الكرات الثابتة، نحن بحاجة إلى الحفاظ على شباكنا نظيفة، هذا كل ما يهم سلوت، ما هو الشيء الوحيد الذي ستفعله كمدرب؟ ستطرد اللاعب الوحيد في فريقك الذي سمحت له بعدم الدفاع، حسنًا، هذا ما سيحدث”.

واستدرك: “ثم تلعب ضد سندرلاند على أرضك، كنت سأشركه، لكن من المفهوم أن تُبقي على نفس التشكيلة، حسنًا، ماذا يفعل؟ يُشركه بين الشوطين، لديك مباراة وست هام وليدز خارج ملعبك، لست في حاجة إلى هدف، لا تحتاج إلى استقبال هدف، إذا أشركت محمد صلاح فيهما، فأنت تدفع بلاعب لا يجيد الدفاع ضد الكرات الثابتة ولا يركض للخلف”.

وكرر: “لكن المرة الوحيدة التي أردت فيها أن أكون ناقدًا حقيقيًا وترددت هذا الموسم بشأن أداء محمد صلاح على أرض الملعب، كما قلت سابقًا، لم أنتقده قط على أرض الملعب، إنه أسطورة النادي، أليس كذلك؟ إرثه موجود، إذا لم يسجل هدفًا آخر أو يقدم تمريرة حاسمة أخرى لهذا النادي، فلا أُبالي، لقد كان رائعًا، لكن ما جعله يتراجع في نظري هذا الموسم كان في فرانكفورت ومباراة أخرى حيث يوجد لاعب مُنضم إلى ليفربول يحتاج إلى هدف أكثر من أي شخص آخر، وهو فلوريان فيرتز، بدلًا من أن تكون مجرد لاعب رائع للنادي، كن سفيرًا رائعًا له ومرّر الكرة إليه، لمسة سهلة ومررها، امنحه عناقًا وقبلة وقل له (كما تعلم، أنت الرجل الذي سيقود فريق ليفربول هذا إلى الأمام، لا أحتاج إلى المزيد من الأهداف)”.

وتابع: “لقد رأيت جون بارنز في النهاية، ورأيت إيان راش في النهاية، ورأيت ستيفن جيرارد في النهاية، هل تعتقد أنهم كانوا نفس اللاعبين في أوج تألقهم؟ بالطبع لم يكونوا كذلك، هل يختلف رأي الجماهير عنهم الآن عندما يرونهم؟ يقولون لا، أنتم أفضل خمسة أو ستة لاعبين لعبوا لـ ليفربول على الإطلاق، وسيُقال الشيء نفسه عن صلاح، لذلك فيما يتعلق بالأداء داخل الملعب، فإن الانتقاد الوحيد الذي لدي ضده هو مساعدة اللاعبين الآخرين، مساعدة فلوريان فيرتز، مساعدة إيزاك، لا تشغل نفسك بأرقامك الشخصية”.

واختتم: “كما قلت، فيما يتعلق بما فعله خارج الملعب، أعتقد أن النادي اتخذ القرار الصحيح بعدم سفره إلى مباراة إنتر ميلان، ولا أعرف ما إذا كان سيلعب مع ليفربول مرة أخرى، آمل أن يفعل ذلك لأنه أحد أعظم اللاعبين الذين لعبنا معهم على الإطلاق، ولكن إذا استمر الوضع على هذا المنوال وتصريحات كهذه، وإذا لم يلعب، كما قلت، فمن يهتم، من يدري؟”.

Tottenham Hotspur responded in stoppage time to cancel out Newcastle United’s controversial late penalty at St. James’ Park and arrest their losing run.

It was more of the same in the first half, with Spurs unable to test the goalkeeper for the fourth successive game before the break. But as in Paris last week, Thomas Frank’s side showed fight after the break, and this was typified by Cristian Romero as he scored twice to secure a point.

Bruno Guimaraes opened the scoring, but Anthony Gordon’s spot kick was a contentious call, and Arsenal correspondent Charles Watt even commented on the “madness” in seeing it given.

But the captain’s contribution also saw Tottenham end a run of four losses to the Magpies, and it gives Frank a foundation to build on throughout December.

Cristian Romero leads the Spurs' fightback

Romero is among the most aggressive and tenacious players in the Premier League. He led by example on Tyneside, scoring both goals with a brave header and dramatic bicycle kick in the dying embers.

On his return from suspension, Romero reminded the fans of the dimension he adds when on the field and wearing the armband.

Defensively, the Argentina international was something of a mixed bag, though, only winning six of 13 contested duels across the evening and being skinned by Harvey Barnes for the winger’s chance.

However, the 27-year-old made five ball recoveries and five clearances, also blocking two shots. He led by example.

Romero’s heroics will secure the headlines this morning, but there was arguably a Spurs man in front of him who played an even more impressive game, point-sealing strikes aside.

Frank has found Spurs' new Mousa Dembele

In testing times this season, 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall has stepped up and looked like one of Tottenham’s most promising players, purposeful on the ball and combative in the challenge.

He’s still so young, but the teenager’s maturity and natural technical flair indicate a certain likeness to former Lilywhites star Mousa Dembele.

His heart and passion are clear to see, and as he polishes his natural skillset, he could emulate Dembele’s all-controlling role in Mauricio Pochettino’s midfield, earning him so many plaudits.

Newcastle were on the front foot for much of the game, but Bergvall helped repel the hosts throughout.

One Spurs podcast host even remarked that the Swedish talent was “a class above the rest in the first half”, effortless on the ball and tenacious in a way which hasn’t been matched by his teammates (barring Romero).

How often was this the case with Dembele? his elegance and physicality made him a unique midfielder, and it was his effortless dribbling that led Belgian teammate Kevin De Bruyne to call him “the best in the world” during his heyday.

Bergvall isn’t there yet, but he’s shining in a Tottenham team which, at times, appears allergic to positive attacking play, inviting pressure on themselves with poor passing.

However, the club’s never-say-die attitude was embodied by players like the skipper and Bergvall, with the Scandinavian star showing off both sides of his game by winning his tackle and succeeding with both attempts to carry the ball forward.

Minutes played

77′

Touches

28

Accurate passes

13/17 (76%)

Unsuccessful touches

3

Dribbles

2/2

Recoveries

2

Tackles

1/1

Clearances

1

Duels won

3/4

Football.london gave him a 7/10 post-match rating and acknowledged Bergvall’s intensity in pressing against the Newcastle engine room and providing plenty of energy to keep the spirited fightback focused.

Bergvall has some way to go before he could say he is on a level with Dembele at his Tottenham best, but this is the kind of profile and the kind of performance that Frank needs from his team to start playing with an exciting identity.

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Tottenham have left plenty to be desired in the final third this season.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 2, 2025

So this Ashes is a big deal, is it?
As the oldest rivalry in cricket (yes, we are deliberately overlooking USA vs Canada) the Ashes is always a big deal. But the 2025-26 series has been amped up to what feels like a new level – and this despite England’s woeful record in Australia, which reads P15 W0 L13 over their last three tours of the country.Why’s everyone so excited then?
There are a number of factors at play. Foremost is the style of cricket England have adopted – dubbed “Bazball” by one of ESPNcricinfo’s own – and the sense that they will come and have a go in a manner than few English teams in Australia have managed this century. There is also the hangover from the last Ashes, in England in 2023, which ended 2-2 but sparked all sorts of back-and-forth over “moral victories” and who really came out on top.Related

• Will this Ashes be the making of Bazball 2.0?

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They didn’t manage to Bazball Australia at home, then?
No, but they did come back from 2-0 down, and were arguably only denied victory in the series by rain in Manchester. But let’s not go over all that again. England have been planning for the next campaign down under ever since, and have assembled what might be their fastest-ever bowling attack in a bid to win in Australia for the first time since 2010-11.So should Australia be worried?
Not on the face of it, given England have rarely even come close to winning a Test in the (Un)Lucky Country in the intervening period – and have particularly painful memories of a grueling visit, wreathed in Covid regulations, in 2021-22. Australia, meanwhile, have won five of their last seven Test series, including four in a row, and last experienced defeat in India in 2022-23. At home, they haven’t been beaten since 2020-21 (again by India). They also reached the final of the World Test Championship, although lost out on the mace to South Africa.I sense a ‘but’ coming here…
You guessed it. But Australia, who have picked a squad with only one player under the age of 30, are in the rare position of having significant question marks over their XI. Notably, it looks like they will field a debutant opener, while the man at the other end, Usman Khawaja, might be on borrowed time. They have also been beset by untimely injuries: captain, Pat Cummins, will miss the first Test as he continues to rehab from a back stress reaction, while another of Australia’s “Big Three” seam attack, Josh Hazlewood, is out with a hamstring strain.All eyes are on when Pat Cummins could play a role in the Ashes•Getty Images

So England will be taking on a weakened opposition?
On paper, yes, although Scott Boland (Test bowling average in Australia: 12.63) is a more than capable back-up for Cummins, while Brendan Doggett, another likely debutant, has both form and pedigree after his long wait for a baggy green. Steven Smith won’t miss a beat as stand-in captain, either. Whether this is the “worst Australia side since 2010-11” is up for debate, but their selection quandaries have certainly added to the intrigue around the build-up.Ah yes, the old ‘phoney war’…
As daft as ever, and impossible to get away from. But at least it’s almost time to take out the trash talk.Any other reasons for optimistic Englishmen to stay up through the night?
Well, Australian pitches have certainly made for entertaining viewing over recent seasons and might help level the playing field. Whether England have brought the right attack for the conditions is another debate.Will this be Joe Root’s Ashes?•Getty Images

They do arrive with the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked Test batters, Joe Root and Harry Brook (the latter for the first major Test of his supreme away record), as well as a fit Ben Stokes, after a shoulder tear sustained during the English summer. They’ve been lucky with injuries (so far), with Mark Wood surviving his own hamstring-knack scare over the weekend. And the only major talking point around their batting order – the identity of No. 3 – was put to bed during the warm-up game against England Lions by Ollie Pope making scores of 100 and 90.All aboard the Bazball bus, then!
At least until the wheels fall off. The series starts in Perth, where England have only ever won once (at the old WACA Ground) – with Optus Stadium hosting an Ashes Test for the first time. Then it’s on to the pink-ball day-night game at the Gabba in Brisbane, followed by Adelaide, which last hosted England for a daytime Test in 2013-14. If the Ashes are still alive come the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, we should have a series on our hands.Sounds like the chances are good?
Let’s see. It’s certainly their best shot in a long while. At the very least, it’s to be hoped that England won’t have conceded the contest inside 12 days’ cricket.Fingers crossed! Anything else I should know?
Regardless of whether England can be competitive/win a Test/not suffer complete embarrassment, let’s hope that Root finally scores a hundred on Australia soil. Otherwise Matthew Hayden’s middle stump is going for a walk – and not in the good way.

New Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has been thrown in at the deep end ahead of a clash with Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday in his first match.

The Hoops boss has taken over from the vastly-experienced interim Martin O’Neill, who won seven of his eight games in the dugout after coming in to steady the ship after Brendan Rodgers resigned.

Nancy is now tasked with implementing his own ideas and tactics in the coming days, weeks, and months ahead, after his move from Columbus Crew in the MLS.

The formation that Wilfried Nancy could play at Celtic

Many Celtic supporters may already be wondering what formation the new manager will line-up with against Hearts, and for matches in the future, after O’Neill played a 4-2-3-1 and Rodgers played a 4-3-3.

Nancy has only had a couple of days on the training ground, having been announced on Wednesday night, so the game against the Jam Tarts may come too soon for radical changes.

With time on the training pitch, though, the French boss may want to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, which Transfermarkt notes is his favoured system.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Per FBref, Nancy played a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-2-1 in 31 of his 43 games in charge of Columbus Crew this year, and played a back three or a back five in 40 of those matches.

This suggests that the Frenchman may line up with three central defenders for the most part with Celtic, which could make Dane Murray the biggest winner of his appointment at Parkhead.

Why Dane Murray could play a key role for Wilfried Nancy

The Scottish youngster’s last start for Celtic came in Rodgers’ final match against Hearts, as he scored a nightmare own goal in a 3-1 defeat.

It was a poor afternoon for Murray and Celtic, as he struggled at the heart of the defence, and he only played 38 minutes across two substitute appearances in O’Neill’s time in interim charge, as the experienced boss favoured Auston Trusty and Liam Scales as a pairing.

With Cameron Carter-Vickers being a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury, though, there could be a place for the academy graduate to come back into the team as part of a back three or back five, if Nancy decides to stick with his trend of using formations with three centre-backs.

Kieran Tierney could be an option to play as a third centre-back, as he has done for Scotland in the past, but then Celtic would have three left-footed defenders across the back, which is not ideal for playing out under pressure.

Bringing a right-footed centre-back like Murray into the fold could be ideal for Nancy, and he would have more protection than he did in a back four under Rodgers, as there would be two senior defenders alongside him, in Trusty and Scales.

25/26 Premiership	Dane Murray
Appearances	3
Starts	2
Tackles + interceptions per game	3.0
Clearances	15
Dribbled past	0x
Ground duel success rate	64%
Aerial duel success rate	80%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old colossus has shown some positive signs, despite his own goal against Hearts, in his three league appearances, dominating opposition attackers in physical duels.

Back in August, Rodgers claimed that Murray’s “ceiling is so high” and that he will really grow in the next 12 to 18 months. Whilst it may not happen as he envisaged, as another manager is in the dugout, that could play out with Nancy’s preferred system.

The Scottish prospect has been the only centre-back on the bench in recent games, with Carter-Vickers out, and that suggests that he would be the most logical inclusion for the new manager as part of a back three.

Given that a change in shape from a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 to a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-3 would essentially mean that a new centre-back position emerges, it seems like Murray has the most to gain and could be the biggest winner from this appointment for the Hoops.

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This Celtic star who was even better than Daizen Maeda against Dundee should be Wilfried Nancy’s first undroppable star.

1

By
Dan Emery

Dec 4, 2025

However, it is then down to the academy graduate to take his chance when it comes and prove that he has what it takes to be a regular starter for Celtic, and that his game against Hearts was a blip rather than a sign of things to come.

Newcastle United were held to a draw in a must-win Champions League match away to German side Bayer Leverkusen.

The Magpies initially came from a goal behind, only to lose their lead late on, meaning they are still two points outside of the top eight who automatically qualify.

It was a disastrous start for Eddie Howe’s side. They went 1-0 down just 13 minutes into the game, a goal which frustratingly came from a Bruno Guimaraes own goal. It’s hard to blame their captain, though, with the ball being headed against his back when he wasn’t looking.

It took until the second half before the Premier League outfit could equalise. Anthony Gordon stepped up to score a penalty for the third game in a row, and with 15 minutes to go, they had a lead.

Homegrown star Lewis Miley made a darting run into the penalty box and headed home a cross from Gordon.

However, the North East side were not able to hold on for a huge three points in Germany. A lovely move from Leverkusen saw skipper Alejandro Grimaldo ghost into the penalty box and slot home to equalise in the 88th minute.

It was a tough night, with Sandro Tonali one player who struggled.

Tonali’s stats against Leverkusen

Normally the player Howe can rely on to keep things ticking along in midfield, it was a surprisingly poor night at the office for Tonali against the German side, who struggled to get a grip on the game.

The Magpies were certainly at full strength in the middle of the park, with Tonali playing next to Guimaraes.

However, the Italian, normally so fluid in possession, couldn’t get a grip on the game, and even slipped, which let Bayer exploit his side on the counterattack at one stage.

Indeed, his stats from the game show just how tough it was for the Italian against the Bundesliga outfit. He only had an 88% pass accuracy and lost the ball eight times, as per Sofascore, winning just three out of seven ground duels.

The Italian was even blamed by journalist Luke Edwards for his part in the second goal. Tonali allowed Grimaldo to shake him off and then run past him, failing to track the Spaniard into the penalty area.

Edwards said he was “really poor” on the night.

However, the midfielder was perhaps not their worst player.

Newcastle’s most disappointing player in Leverkusen

It was a tough evening back in his home nation, Germany, for centre-back Malick Thiaw. The former AC Milan star was “lucky not to be sent off”, according to journalist Craig Hope, after committing a foul on the edge of the penalty box.

That was a mistake picked up by Tom Bellwood, a writer for Goal. He gave the 24-year-old a 6/10 for his efforts, while also noting that he was fortunate to be in the pitch, which was certainly the consensus about his risky challenge.

Granted, Thiaw’s numbers from his performance against Leverkusen are not terrible, but there are some which stand out.

He only managed to win five out of his eight attempted duels, lost the ball three times and committed that foul on Patrick Schick.

Touches

65

Passes completed

40/43

Ground duels won

3/5

Aerial duels won

2/3

Number of times ball lost

3

Fouls

1

The German defender has been excellent for the Magpies this season. He’s started ten Premier League games in a row and has looked like “one of the best signings of the summer”.

Yet, the performance away to Leverkusen was arguably his worst so far in that famous Black and White shirt. He was, of course, part of the defence which allowed Grimaldo to slip through unmarked and score, and was rash with his challenge on the edge of the box.

It was a night to forget for a man who has generally been excellent so far in his short Magpies career.

This will surely be nothing more than a blip, with Thiaw, who earns £75k-per-week, hoping to get back on track this weekend in the derby against Sunderland.

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There is a two-day match in Canberra next weekend but Ben Stokes indicated Test squad members were unlikely to feature

Matt Roller23-Nov-20252:13

Stokes defends attacking approach after batting collapse

England are unlikely to send any of the players involved in their eight-wicket thrashing in Perth to Canberra for next week’s pink-ball tour match, a decision which former captain Michael Vaughan has described as “amateurish”.The speed of Australia’s win in a chaotic first Ashes Test has left England with 11 days before the start of the second, day-night Test in Brisbane on December 4. There is a two-day, pink-ball match scheduled between a Prime Minister’s XI and an England XI on November 29, but England Lions have long been scheduled to fulfil that fixture rather than the main touring party.Related

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Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, said after the first Test that England would consider sending some players to Canberra. “I haven’t even thought about it just yet, to be honest, because I planned on us being a little bit longer than two days,” he told the BBC’s . “We’ll let the dust settle tonight and then we’ll have a good think about it tomorrow.”But Ben Stokes, their captain, suggested that England will stick to their guns and head straight to Brisbane on November 26 to prepare for the second Test at the Gabba. “That’s how it was done a long time ago,” he replied, when asked if his side should look to play another competitive match in the aftermath of their heavy defeat.”We prepare incredibly well,” Stokes said. “We work incredibly hard every single day that we get the opportunity to work on our game, and that’s what we’ll keep on doing because we believe and we trust in our process.England folded twice in Perth but it’s currently unlikely any of the batters will play in Canberra•Getty Images”If the results don’t go the way in our favour, that’s not going to differ from that (sic) because, hand on heart, we know that we put every little bit or ounce of ourselves into our training, and we know and believe that this is the best way for this team to operate.”Alastair Cook, England’s leading run-scorer in their most recent series win in Australia in 2010-11, urged them to reconsider. “In this situation, I would want to go and play in the pink-ball game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, not just leave it to the Lions players,” he wrote in his column.”It can be an uncomfortable decision as you are opening yourself up to failing again, but putting yourself under pressure can have long-term benefits. However much you practise in the nets, you cannot replicate the feeling of time in the middle.”Vaughan, the top-scorer in the 2002-03 Ashes, went even harder, suggesting that England should go into the tour match at full strength – including fielding the fast bowlers that played in Perth. “It’s amateurish if they don’t go and play now,” he said. “What harm is playing two days of cricket with a pink ball under lights?”They’ve played two days of cricket. They’ve been out in the field for, what, 70 [67.3] overs? Look, they’re professional cricketers. I can’t be so old-school to suggest that by playing cricket, you might get a little bit better… My method would be, you’ve got a pink-ball, two-day game: you go and grab it, go and take it. Play those two days, and make sure that you’re giving yourself the best chance.”It’s not being old-school to suggest that a pink ball is different to a red ball. Playing under the lights is different. Australia have won pretty much every pink-ball game in Australia: they’ve lost once. I’m not too old-school to suggest that they should play in that game… I’d like to know why they wouldn’t.”England released three unused members of their Test squad – Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and Matthew Potts – to play for the Lions in their ongoing tour match against a Cricket Australia XI at Lilac Hill from the second day of the first Test, and may take a similar approach for the PM’s XI fixture.The PM’s XI will be captained by Peter Handscomb and features three other players with Test match experience in top-order batters Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney, and veteran seamer Peter Siddle.