Kate Scott left Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Michah Richards in hysterics after suffering an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction while fronting CBS Sports’ coverage of the Champions League. The incident occurred on October 22, with a panel made up of former Premier League stars seeing the funny side of their host being left a little red-faced.
Newcastle United have made it through the storm that was the summer transfer window, and Saturday’s controlled victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers has got the ball rolling for Eddie Howe’s side.
The Premier League proved a happy playground for the Magpies last season, who also won the Carabao Cup and have qualified for the Champions League, which looms very large indeed.
It’s a shame that Alexander Isak won’t be with the Toon, but the Sweden striker forced his way out and signed for Liverpool in a record-breaking deal.
In different circumstances, Elliot Anderson continues to go from strength to strength away from St. James’ Park, and while the homegrown talent would have been a perfect fit in this United side, Howe moved to sign some kind of replacement in Jacob Ramsey.
Ramsey could be Howe's new Anderson
It’s been over a year since Anderson left Newcastle for Nottingham Forest in a £35m deal, forcibly cut away by PIF because of PSR.
It’s fair to say the 23-year-old has been thriving of late, awarded the Man of the Match award in each of his first two Three Lions caps and playing an instrumental part for a high-flying Tricky Trees outfit, hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as a “midfield warrior” and a “powerhouse carrier with a bit of passing range”.
However, Howe signed Ramsey from Aston Villa in a £42m package this summer, and while the dynamic midfielder is currently sidelined with injury, he has the skill to play a similar role: athletic and dynamic, he offers a forward-thinking skillset.
If Ramsey can overcome his current fitness setback, an ankle injury, then he could become a real player for Howe’s side.
And should he reach his potential at the club, where would this leave Joe Willock?
Why Newcastle must now sell Joe Willock
Regarding numbers, Newcastle are hardly overloaded in the middle of the park. Sean Longstaff was sold to Leeds United for £10m this summer, and Isaac Hayden departed on a free transfer.
But Willock might find his playing time reduced with Ramsey now in the ranks. Once an attacking midfielder, the former Arsenal prospect has been fashioned into more of a number eight, but injuries and subsequent struggles for form have kept him on the periphery over the past few years.
25/26
1 (0)
0 + 0
24/25
32 (11)
0 + 2
23/24
9 (5)
1 + 0
22/23
35 (31)
3 + 6
21/22
29 (24)
2 + 0
20/21
14 (11)
8 + 0
An energetic and tenacious midfielder, the 26-year-old Willock has been frustrated by hamstring and achilles injuries in recent times, but when on the field he has left plenty to be desired, having been branded as “disappointing” a year ago by The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, who was discussing how the Englishman needed to step up, as his ball-carrying ability was a cut above his teammates’ own skills.
That’s no longer the case. Ramsey is a high-level dribbler, and his big-money addition certainly suggests that Howe is willing to invest time and effort into shaping him into the player he ought to become.
If that means that Willock needs to be sold, it’s a sacrifice the manager might be willing to make. After all, Willock earns a healthy salary of £80k per week, which isn’t as much as the £120k-per-week Ramsey, but is actually double the £40k-per-week earnings of Anderson over at the City Ground, as per Capology.
The key points here are twofold: Ramsey is valued, entrusted with a big role in the squad and expected to deliver in the years to come; Willock himself earns a fair wage, but his diminished returns of late suggest Newcastle might not be getting bang for their buck.
The lad’s natural talent was never up for dispute. He’s a sharp playmaker with the movement and vision to make things happen. He’s the complete package. But Newcastle have other such players, and even with Anderson long sold, the arrival of Ramsey issues a warning to Willock, who has only played 25 minutes of football so far this season.
Willock is no longer a spring chicken, and given the strength of Newcastle’s starting midfield trident and the addition of Ramsey, it would appear his days are numbered on Tyneside, should he want to play regular minutes during the prime years of his career.
Given that he earns a pretty penny – double as much as Anderson at Forest – the need to ship him out is only heightened, especially with the likes of Lewis Miley waiting in the wings.
Not just Isak: PIF must rue selling "public enemy number 1 for Newcastle fans"
Howe could have benefitted from this talent’s qualities at Newcastle this season.
ByAngus Sinclair Sep 16, 2025
Duo stage 123-run partnership in response to Kyle Verreynne’s 128 not out for Notts
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay12-Apr-2025A third-wicket stand of 123 through the afternoon, after Nottinghamshire had ended on 347 in the first 30 minutes, proved the platform for what looks a clear, if hardly decisive, Essex advantage at the midway stage of their Rothesay County Championship Division One match at Trent Bridge.Jordan Cox, cruelly denied a Test debut when fracturing his thumb in the nets on England’s tour of New Zealand last November, continued to a sweetly timed 82 after partner Paul Walter had gone for a more muscular 76. This in answer to Kyle Verreynne’s eventual unbeaten 128 for the home side.Though the first ball of the final session saw Cox feather a legside delivery to the keeper only one more wicket fell before the close of a second day whose last six overs were bowled with a new ball under floodlights as April’s blue skies finally gave way to cloud.With 117 already posted this season against Surrey, the 24-year old Cox has now passed fifty 21 times in his young career for Kent and Essex, notably continuing to eight centuries, a conversion rate that left Notts relieved to see him fall short. His one misjudgement earlier was the scampered single that took him to 80 yet barely beat a throw at the non-striker’s stumps.Walter, who made 95 in his one other innings this campaign, had taken the teenage Farhan Ahmed’s off-spin for a six and a four with mighty blows to mid-wicket when he attempted another, next ball, but sliced to slip as it turned out of the left-hander’s rough. By tea, 40 minutes later, Essex were 205 for 3 only for Cox to fall on resumption.Making it two wickets in his eight-over evening spell, Lyndon James then also removed Michael Pepper who cut a short ball to backward point for 26 to bring in Noah Thain. To his credit, the 20-year old, who endured a testing day when bowling on Friday, gamely resisted 75 balls for 21 overnight in support of Matt Critchley who will resume on 50.There is still little in this pitch for bowlers but it may possibly become more uneven. Seamers from the Stuart Broad End have already made the odd ball jump from a length and some have kept a little low. For their part, batters frequently prodded and tapped the surface.Essex, still lacking opener Dean Elgar on paternity leave for newborn twins, had initially made an uncertain start to their innings in the morning when Charles Allison, in only his second Championship innings, aimed an ambitious on-drive at Fergus O’Neill and went lbw for 11.Brett Hutton, the fourth seamer, then opened with a superb yorker first ball which whipped out Tom Westley lbw for 5. Lunch soon following at 54 for 2.At the day’s start, Essex had required eight overs to claim the home side’s two remaining wickets as Notts missed a third batting point by three runs in finishing on 347. Verreyyne, though dropped at slip off Simon Cook when 33 on Friday, could again not be dislodged.His undefeated century took his tally in five innings for Notts so far to 376 – this for only once out. And in between his three Notts games last September and this one seven months later he had also made Test hundreds for South Africa against three different countries.At least Cook, who had Ahmed dabbing a short, wide one to a juggling third slip for 31 and then bowled Pennington for 1, returned 4 for 44, figures that finally did him some measure of justice.
كشف عمر عصر لاعب منتخب مصر لتنس الطاولة، تفاصيل أزمته مع محمود أشرف زميله ونجل رئيس الاتحاد المصري للعبة، خلال مشاركتهما في بطولة إفريقيا.
وكانت مباراة مصر ونيجيريا في بطولة إفريقيا لتنس الطاولة، شهدت مشادة وأزمة كبيرة بين اللاعب عمر عصر وزميله محمود أشرف.
طالع | رئيس اتحاد تنس الطاولة يكشف كواليس أزمة نجله مع عمر عصر في بطولة إفريقيا
وقال عمر عصر في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر2”: “الحمد لله هذه البطولة لم تفز خلالها مصر بأي ميدالية منذ 21 عامًا، وأود أن أشكر زملائي جميعًا على ما قدموه من جهد وإصرار حتى تحقق هذا الإنجاز”.
وتابع: “أتوجه بالشكر إلى الكابتن أشرف حلمي لأنه نقل ما حدث كما وصل إليه، وأود التوضيح أنني تحدثت معه بالأمس وأخبرته أنني تعرضت لتمزق عضلي، كما أُصيب اللاعب البيلي في رقبته”.
وأكمل: “طلب مني الكباتن المسؤولون عن المشاركة في المباريات أن أحاول اللعب ولو لمباراة واحدة فقط، خاصة وأن المنتخب لا يضم طبيبًا أو مدربًا للياقة البدنية”.
واستطرد: “كان اليوم هو الأخير في البطولة، وكنا نستعد لمواجهة نيجيريا، شاركت في التدريب إلى جانب محمود أشرف، وكان المران طبيعيًا جدًا، قبل المباراة وقفنا جميعًا لقراءة الفاتحة، وطلبنا من محمود أن ينضم إلينا، لكنه ظل جالسًا على مقاعد البدلاء واضعًا قدمًا فوق قدم، ورفض المشاركة في قراءة الفاتحة”.
وأضاف: “التفسير الوحيد لذلك ربما أنه كان يرغب في المشاركة بالمباراة، بينما الجهاز الفني لم يقرر إشراكه، فلا يوجد مبرر آخر، خاصة أن علاقتي به طيبة، وكذلك علاقته بجميع اللاعبين”.
وأشار: “خلال المباراة ظل جالسًا بالطريقة نفسها، يضع قدمًا فوق قدم وينظر إلى هاتفه، في مشهد لم أره من قبل في تاريخ اللعبة، ورئيس البعثة وقتها طلب منا ألا نتحدث معه”.
وتابع: “عندما جاءت المباراة التي كنت سأشارك فيها، وكالعادة حاولت أن أُصافحه قبل النزول إلى الملعب، لكنه قام وغادر مكانه، فشعرت بالدهشة ولم أبدِ أي رد فعل، ثم عاد إلى مقعده وكرر التصرف نفسه، فقلت إن هذا الموقف لا يليق ولا ينبغي أن يحدث من لاعب في منتخب مصر”.
وزاد: “بعد ذلك قام محمود وحاول الاعتداء عليّ، وهو ما أدى إلى ظهور رد فعلي بهذا الشكل، ولم أكن أرغب أن تصل الأمور إلى هذا الحد، لكن كان من المهم توضيح الحقيقة كما حدثت”.
وواصل: “سأخضع للتحقيق، لكنني أعتقد أن الأمر ليس شخصيًا بيني وبين محمود، لأن العلاقة بيننا جيدة، إلا أن الموقف صعب لأن محمود هو نجل رئيس الاتحاد، وبالتالي سيكون في الوقت نفسه الخصم والحكم”.
وأضاف: “هناك أمور تحدث في مصر لا أراها في أي مكان في العالم، الرئيس السابق للاتحاد كان شقيقه متواجدًا، والرئيس الحالي نجله معنا في المنتخب، ولا يوجد في أي دولة أن يكون رئيس الاتحاد هو من يختار اللاعبين، فهذا من اختصاص المدير الفني”.
وأوضح: “الحديث عن أنني منعت محمود من الصعود إلى المنصة كلام باطل، ولو كان صعد لما حدثت أي مشكلة، لأن هذا حقه، وخلال الأشهر الماضية تم توقيع عقوبات ضد محمود أشرف بسبب سوء سلوك ارتكبه في إحدى مباريات الدوري، وكانت العقوبة إيقافًا لمباراتين، كما فُرضت غرامة مالية على زملائي بلغت 200 ألف جنيه”.
وأتم: “أنا أطالب أشرف صبحي، وزير الشباب والرياضة، بفتح تحقيق شامل في هذا الأمر، حتى تُعرف الحقيقة ويُحفظ حق الجميع”.
The summer transfer window officially slammed shut for another year on Monday night, without Celtic adding any number nines to their first-team squad.
Adam Idah was allowed to complete a £6m transfer to EFL Championship side Swansea City on deadline day, but that exit was not followed up by a replacement.
This means that Celtic have sold Kyogo Furuhashi, who scored 85 goals in 165 games for the club, and Idah, who scored 29 goals in 76 matches for the club, in 2025.
Meanwhile, Shin Yamada, who has scored four goals in his last 39 matches in all competitions, is the only first-team striker who has been signed by Celtic this year, in January or the summer.
However, Celtic do still have a chance to bolster their squad because they can dip into the free agent market to find a striker to lead the line for them this season, after they failed to sign one before the end of the window.
Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph reports that the club will hold talks with former Manchester City star Kelechi Iheanacho after his contract at Sevilla was ripped up on Monday night, before the deadline.
Why Kelechi Iheanacho could be a good signing
Signing a free agent does not always have to be a bad thing, because plenty of players end up in unfortunate situations and may not have been able to show the best of themselves, leading to them being available at this time of the year.
Kelechi only played 11 matches in all competitions during his time with Sevilla in Spain, scoring three goals, which shows that he did not get too many opportunities to showcase his quality in front of goal.
He is a player Brendan Rodgers already knows incredibly well from their time together at Leicester City in England, which means that the Hoops boss knows that the striker has the quality to make an impact in front of goal at Parkhead.
Kelechi scored 43 goals in 143 matches with the Northern Irish boss as his manager at the King Power, per Transfermarkt, and has a lot of experience in the Premier League with Leicester and Manchester City.
Kelechi’s Premier League career
Season (appearances)
Goals
Assists
22/23 (28)
5
5
21/22 (26)
4
5
20/21 (25)
12
2
19/20 (20)
5
5
18/19 (30)
1
3
17/18 (21)
3
3
16/17 (20)
4
3
15/16 (26)
8
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, the 28-year-old striker has a decent history of goals and assists in the English top-flight, including a 12-goal haul with Rodgers as his manager in the 2020/21 campaign.
These statistics and his relationship with the Celtic boss suggest that signing him could be a worthwhile gamble to bolster their options up front before they have a chance to reassess the situation in the January window.
Even if Kelechi comes through the door in the coming days on a free transfer, though, it does not mean that the Scottish Premiership champions have achieved what they set out to do.
Sky Sports reported that the Hoops wanted to sign two new strikers on deadline day, as Idah left to join Swansea, which means that they may have to make two free agent signings if they still want another number nine in the building.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
A quick look at the free agent market will tell you that there is another centre-forward available who will be well known to Rodgers, even if he has not managed him before.
Patrick Bamford was released by Leeds United last month after they were promoted to the Premier League, as they went with Joel Piroe, Lukas Nmecha, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin as their frontline forward, and he could be an even better signing than Kelechi.
Why Celtic should sign Patrick Bamford
Rodgers will have managed against Bamford in the Premier League and will know what he is about, which could make him another sensible short-term addition on a free transfer to ensure that the club get two strikers in the building before the clash with Kilmarnock.
Like Kelechi, the 31-year-old marksman has excelled in the English top-flight in the past. In the 2020/21 campaign, when Kelechi scored 12 goals, the former Leeds man plundered an eye-catching haul of 17 goals and was hailed as “exceptional” by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp for his performances that term.
This shows that the former England international’s peak may be higher than the Nigeria international’s, because he scored five more goals at Premier League level that season than Kelechi did in any season in his career.
In recent history, both players failed to showcase their qualities with limited game time in the 2024/25 campaign, but they both featured for their sides in the 2023/24 Championship season, for Leeds and Leicester respectively, and Bamford came out on top.
23/24 Championship
Patrick Bamford
Kelechi Iheanacho
Appearances
33
23
xG
9.52
6.30
Goals
8
5
Shots on target per game
0.7
0.5
Assists
1
1
Ground duel success rate
40%
38%
Aerial duel success rate
39%
17%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Bamford scored more goals, offering a greater threat in front of goal, and was more impressive in his physical duels, particularly in the air.
These statistics suggest that Celtic may not get much in the way of hold-up or physical play from Kelechi, given his horrendous aerial duel success rate, and that could cause problems in European matches when the Hoops need their number nine to relieve pressure in big matches.
This means that Bamford, who won two Championship titles during his time at Elland Road, could be more effective as an outlet for Celtic in big games, domestically and in Europe, whilst also having the potential to offer a greater goal threat.
Therefore, bringing the English striker in as well as Kelechi could make a lot of sense for the Scottish giants, as it would give Rodgers the two number nine signings he wanted and offer the team different options in the centre-forward position.
Worse than Nygren: Rodgers must drop Celtic flop who "offered little"
Celtic must drop their flop who was even worse than Benjamin Nygren against Rangers.
ByDan Emery Aug 31, 2025
Bamford’s statistics also suggest that he would simply be a better signing striker for the team than Kelechi as the main man up front, which is another reason why the club should swoop for him.
Harry Kane has delivered an update on how his German lessons are going, with the Bayern Munich superstar still in the process of becoming bilingual. The England captain stepped out of his professional comfort zone in 2023 when completing a move to the Allianz Arena. His communication skills are improving, but there is still work to be done on the linguistics front.
Manchester City lost one of their key players over the summer. Kevin De Bruyne departed the club after a decade, leaving as one of the all-time great players, not only in City’s history, but in the entirety of the Premier League, given his record and the fact that he is a six-time champion.
He featured 422 times for the Citizens in total, scoring 108 goals and assisting a remarkable 117 times. His loss is certainly going to impact City, as the Belgian legend embarks on a new adventure for Scudetto winners Napoli, under Antonio Conte.
With De Bruyne gone, City will need to replace him well to ensure they maximise the likes of Erling Haaland. In recent days, a shock link has emerged for Pep Guardiola’s side.
City’s latest transfer targets
It will be fascinating to see just how much money City spend before the end of the 2025 summer transfer window. Reports in recent days suggest they are plotting an ambitious £85m move for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Brazilian might not be the only marquee player through the door at the Etihad Stadium before the window slams shut. According to talkSPORT, they are ‘contemplating a stunning hijack’ for Chelsea’s deal to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.
The Dutchman has been a long-term target for the West Londoners this summer and has agreed personal terms, but City could ‘come in and try to complete a deal themselves’, with no fee yet agreed.
Leipzig are looking for £60m, and with Chelsea around £10m, it could give City a chance to hijack the move.
Why Simons would be a good signing
There is no doubt that Simons is a hugely exciting talent. The Leipzig attacker, who can play right across the frontline, has shone in the last couple of years for the German side, and was once described as a “sensation” by football scout Antonio Mango.
Last season, the youngster, who is still just 22 years of age, played 33 times for Leipzig, scoring 11 times and assisting a further eight goals. He struggled with an ankle injury and missed a large portion of the season between October and December.
Some of his stats from the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign are impressive and show his ability to create chances in the final third. For example, the former Barcelona academy star averaged 5.86 progressive passes and 2.13 key passes each game, placing him in the top 5% and 15% respectively.
Goals and assists
0.67
84th
Progressive passes
5.86
95th
Key passes
2.13
85th
Carries into final third
2.97
97th
Ball recoveries
5.36
9th
It is that kind of creativity that will serve Haaland well. The Norwegian striker has been a revelation for City and has a sensational record for the club. In 146 games, he’s found the back of the net 124 times, chipping in with 21 assists.
Yet, taking a player with the quality of De Bruyne out of the City team would surely impact Haaland if they don’t replace him well. The pair combined for 25 goals, and Haaland has never linked up with a player more times in his career, as per Transfermarkt.
It is certainly a big job for Simons if he were to step into De Bruyne’s shoes this season. Just looking at the numbers he managed to put up with Haaland shows just how dominant the pair were together.
Yet, the Dutchman, who was born in Amsterdam, has put up some fantastic numbers over the past couple of seasons and is a consistent chase creator, as the above number showed. It is easy to imagine Haaland getting on the end of passes such as this one to new Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko.
Of course, £60m is a huge investment for City to make, given they have bought a lot of players already this summer. Yet, they need a quality De Bruyne replacement, and Simons has the ability to become that player.
Haaland would love a new De Bruyne this season, and perhaps City have found their answer in the talented young Dutchman.
He’s Balotelli 2.0: Viana exploring Man City move to sign £43m "phenom"
Man City are still not done in the summer transfer window
ByJoe Nuttall Aug 13, 2025
Leeds United have now submitted a proposal for an “insane” forward, who is now keen on a move to Elland Road this summer, according to a report.
Leeds eyeing new forwards amid Joseph and Bamford uncertainty
Daniel Farke has now made it clear that Mateo Joseph has expressed a desire to move on this summer, with the manager saying: “With him the situation is quite clear. We really value and rate him – otherwise we wouldn’t have played him, especially in the beginning of the last successful campaign ahead of a golden boot winner in Joel Piroe and an experienced striker like Patrick Bamford.
“Nevertheless, he came to me and asked for a new challenge and would like to move. He has also hinted that he prefers a move to Spain due to his Spanish roots. That was his call.”
It is starting to look increasingly likely the striker will leave, given that Farke has no plans to stand in his way, and he is not the only Leeds centre-forward that could be on the move, with widespread reports suggesting Patrick Bamford’s time at Elland Road could be over.
Better than Muniz: 49ers open first talks to sign "ridiculous" CF for Leeds
Leeds United might prefer to clinch a deal for this ridiculous striker over chasing after Rodrigo Muniz.
5 ByKelan Sarson Jul 23, 2025
As a result, one of Farke’s main tasks will be to bring in a new striker this summer, but the manager is also keen on bringing in a new winger, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Manor Solomon recently re-entering the frame as a potential option.
Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao has also emerged as a target for the Whites, and there has now been a promising new update on their pursuit of the forward, with The Yorkshire Evening Post revealing he likes the idea of playing for Leeds in the Premier League.
The newly-promoted side have now submitted an official proposal to the representatives of Paixao, and his entourage were impressed by Leeds’ presentation, indicating that a deal could be possible.
In a further update, it has now been revealed the Whites have submitted a formal €35m (£30m) offer for the forward’s services, which is close to Feyenoord’s asking price.
"Insane" Paixao could be statement signing for Leeds
Having only just achieved promotion from the Championship, Farke’s side would be making a real statement if they were able to sign the 25-year-old, given the level of his performances for Feyenoord last season.
The Brazilian was the driving force behind his club recording a third-place finish in the Eredivisie, collecting 16 goals and 14 assists in 34 appearances, while also picking up seven goal contributions in 11 Champions League outings.
Scout Ben Mattinson has also likened the Eredivisie star to Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, in light of his “insane” ball striking ability, and he is very impressive at dribbling in tight spaces.
It is clear that Paixao could make a real impact in Leeds’ battle for survival next season, so it is exciting news that a deal could very much be on the cards.
Although Smith has opened for Australia after Warner’s retirement, Hayden believes the team is better off utilising him at his best batting positions – Nos. 3 and 4
Vishal Dikshit22-Aug-20241:42
Smith happy to open or bat at No. 4 against India
Former Australia opening batter Matthew Hayden is against the idea of Steven Smith playing as a Test opener. Hayden believes Smith should bat where he has scored most of his runs, suggesting moving him to a “completely different position” is “crazy”. Hayden, Australia’s most prolific opener in Tests before David Warner went past him in December 2023, believes that the top three positions need to be “protected” in Test cricket.”The rationale that [national selector] George Bailey gave was correct in so far as that he was choosing his best top six batsmen,” Hayden said on the sidelines of the CEAT cricket rating awards in Mumbai, of Australia’s batting plans. “Now, you can’t argue with Steven Smith, he is averaging 65 [57] in Test-match cricket…. 32 Test-match hundreds.”But, the role of an opening batsman compared to a middle-order batsman is very different. And it didn’t take long to discover that when you get into challenging conditions, like they faced in the first series outside of Australia, which was in New Zealand, that opening the batting is very difficult.”Smith played as an opener for the first time in his Test career earlier this year. First, during the two home Tests against West Indies and then in New Zealand for another two games. In those eight innings, he was out for 12 or less on five occasions and scored just one half-century – the unbeaten 91 in Brisbane – at an average of 28.50. In comparison, he averages 67.07 from No. 3 and 61.50 from No. 4.Related
Ponting tips Australia to beat India 3-1 in Border Gavaskar Trophy
Warner signs for full BBL, Smith inks three-year Sixers deal
Hayden: Hard to say who has the edge in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
“I, personally, as I said at the time, was on record saying that I didn’t like changing,” Hayden added. “I think it’s crazy to think that you have the world’s best-in-class batter in a certain position. And then you change to a completely different position. For a few reasons, I think that’s crazy. Firstly, why? Such a gun in that position, such a coveted player.”And then it also is not a great nod to the first-class set-up, which is very much in the Australian culture, been driving great results towards key roles, be that any one of the roles – wicketkeeping, batting, spinners, fast bowlers, opening batters. So the [batting positions of] one, two and three is a category which needs to be protected in my opinion. It sets up play.”If Australia do move Smith back down the order, they will have to look for a new partner for opener Usman Khawaja. Since Warner’s farewell Test at the SCG at the start of this year, Smith and Khawaja have opened in all of Australia’s four Tests, and moving Smith out of the opening slot would mean giving that position to an inexperienced batter. Has that second opening slot been a concern for Australia after Warner’s departure?Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja have been the Australia openers since David Warner’s retirement•Getty Images
“Yes, it is. It is,” Hayden said. “For the first time, it doesn’t feel as secure. David Warner gave a great service to Australian cricket. He gave a service that was extremely competitive, wonderfully dynamic. He really took that legacy that I’d created through the 2000s to a new level, strike rates in excess of 80 [70] and gave great momentum to the top order, which otherwise is quite a conservative, very good, but very conservative batting line-up. So I think he’s an enormous loss in terms of how do you replace him.”Clearly, they’ve gone in the direction of Steven Smith and thus far, whether they continue with that strategy, time will tell. And we have guys like [Cameron] Bancroft that are always in the pipeline, Matt Renshaw is in the pipeline.”Bancroft, when you look at his form in England, has been excellent, but that’s domestic cricket. It’s not the Border-Gavaskar-type cricket so a bit of a few things to really prove from that engine room in Australian cricket, which has been challenged right now with David’s absence.”Smith himself has said recently that he has “no idea” about his batting position for the India Tests, and that a decision would be made after Australia’s white-ball tour of the UK starting September 4, where they play a T20I series against Scotland before three T20Is and five ODIs against England. “I’m happy anywhere and I’ll bat wherever for the team,” Smith had said. Both Cummins and Bailey have also recently hinted that Australia are likely to go with the same top six as their last four Tests to begin their Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign.
Maia Bouchier led the way with a career-best 93 as Southern Vipers warmed up for the defence of their title with a crushing 113-run victory over South East Stars in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.The 25-year-old opener needed just 55 balls to make the second-highest score in this season’s competition as Vipers posted 179 for five in a game between two sides who were already through to Finals Day in Derby on Saturday.Stars finished second after suffering only their second defeat in the group stage but they will need to regroup having been bowled out for just 66, the second-lowest completed total in this season’s competition. Charlie Dean led the way with 3 for 5, Linsey Smith took 3 for 12 and Charli Knott 2 for 11 as nine of the wickets fell to spin.A crowd of 3,000 including children from 70 local schools generated a lively atmosphere and Bouchier treated them to a special innings with shots all around the wicket.A curious powerplay saw Vipers reach 50 for one with Bouchier hitting 32 off those runs from just seven balls. She hit the first five deliveries of the fourth over from Emily Jones to the boundary before twice lofting Tash Farrant over the ropes in the sixth.In between there was a maiden from 16-year-old left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who again impressed with her control and picked up a deserve wicket when Knott was beaten in the flight.Bouchier reached her fifty off 27 balls during a productive stand of 76 in nine overs with skipper Georgia Adams.Adams made the most of being put down by Alexa Stonehouse on 13 – a difficult chance as she ran in from deep backward square – to contribute 39 before an attempted ramp was held at backward point.It gave Farrant a second wicket after she’d picked up Danni Wyatt in the second over with a slower ball that Wyatt chipped to mid-on.Bouchier seemed to be making serene progress to a hundred, but in the 16th over she made her only mistake, missing a reverse sweep to give Stars’ skipper Bryony Smith a wicket with her second ball. Bouchier hit 11 fours and three sixes.Freya Kemp swelled the total with 30 off 14 balls at the end and Stars’ miserable chase never recovered after they lost three wickets in the powerplay.Smith looked like she meant business, taking four boundaries off Freya Davies in the opening over of the reply. But after she was stumped for 22 trying to hit slow left-armer Linsey Smith over the top in the second over the innings nosedived. The next highest contribution was Stonehouse’s nine.Paige Schofield missed a sweep, Smith picked up Tarrant and Kalea Moore in the final over of the powerplay before Dean added to Stars’ pain by bowling Alice Davidson-Richards and Jones with successive balls in the ninth over.There was no way back for Stars from 44 for 6 and off-spinner Knott finished things off in the 14th over.