The part-time offspinner claimed the wicket of Pant early in the final session and the home side then surged

Andrew McGlashan30-Dec-20243:17

Cummins: ‘One of the best Tests I’ve been part of’

Travis Head has broken Indian hearts a few times with the bat, but at the MCG he claimed the wicket which gave Australia an opening for their dramatic final-session surge, although captain Pat Cummins revealed he was partly being used to help improve the over rate.Head and Nathan Lyon sped through their overs after tea when India began the session just three down and Head managed to snare Rishabh Pant with a long hop that was pulled to wide long-on. Australia went on to claim seven wickets in 21 overs to secure victory early in the final hour on day five.Slow over rates can lead to points deductions in the World Test Championship [WTC] and defending champions Australia, who paid the price for such penalties in the inaugural cycle, were lagging for most of the game. It has yet to be confirmed if they had caught up by the end of the match. Australia are bidding to join South Africa in the WTC final at Lord’s and can secure their spot with victory in Sydney.Related

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“He’s got a bit of a Midas touch,” Cummins said of Head’s bowling at the presentation. “I’ll give the coach credit for that one [bringing him on]. Also, we were a bit behind on the over rate, so we thought, get Trav in there, [he] might get a breakthrough and help us out with some overs.”Head referenced his lean returns with the bat in this Test, where he made 0 and 1, having scored centuries in Adelaide and Brisbane when asked about his key contribution.”I’ve had four-and-a-half days off, didn’t feature, thought I’d watch the boys bat this week,” he told the host broadcaster. “And nice to contribute. I got told I was bowling [at tea], wasn’t too pleased about things. We are a pretty relaxed group, [we] don’t change too much, we knew what we had to do. Pat and Ronnie [head coach Andrew McDonald] come up with the plans, had a chat and we were able to go out and execute it.”It [the Test] ebbed and flowed throughout the five days and [was] probably one of the best Test matches I’ve been involved in. No matter what the result was going to be, two teams went at it pretty hard. There were moments where both teams stepped up, moments where they fought and it’s just nice we’ve been able to come out with the win. It’s been a long five days.”When asked about plans for Pant specifically, Head joked. “Bowl a rank [long hop] and have everyone on the fence. I just threw them down there, see what happens and it turned our way.”There was also an explanation from Cummins of Head’s wicket celebration, which referred to an on-going joke about putting his spinning finger in a glass of ice.Mitchell Marsh averages just 10.42 so far in the series•Getty ImagesAlthough Australia emerged with a 2-1 lead and are now within touching distance of their first series victory over India in ten years, they do head to Sydney with a couple of areas of concern: the form of Mitchell Marsh and the fitness of Mitchell Starc who battled what appeared a rib or back problem during the match.Starc bowled superbly on the final day, claiming the wicket of Virat Kohli, and Cummins was upbeat that he would be available for the final Test.”I’m pretty confident he’ll be fine,” Cummins said. “We’ll reassess in a couple of days. He’s managing a couple of sore bits, mainly one sore bit on his ribs or something. But he’s a warrior, he gets through, his pace didn’t drop off, he didn’t even contemplate not being an option to bowl. So other than being in pain, he’s fully fit and available.”Should Starc not be right, it would bring Jhye Richardson into contention for a recall. Richardson, who played his last Test in the 2021-22 Ashes, was released from the squad on Monday so he could feature for Perth Scorchers against Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve and will then link back up in Sydney on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Marsh has made 73 runs at 10.42 in the four Tests alongside claiming three wickets at 46.33 with all those coming in Perth. Uncapped allrounder Beau Webster is part of the squad should the selectors opt to make a change.

تمكن فريق كهرباء الإسماعيلية، من تسجيل هدفين متتالين، أمام النادي الأهلي، في المباراة التي تجمع بين الفريقين، الأن، ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز، لتصبح النتيجة 3-2 للمارد الأحمر.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع نظيره فريق كهرباء الإسماعيلية، في الجولة العاشرة من عمر مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز على ملعب المقاولون العرب. 

وسجل محمد أوناجم هدف كهرباء الإسماعيلية الأول، في الدقيقة 57، وأضاف الهدف الثاني اللاعب عصام الفيومي في الدقيقة 68.

طالع.. لاعب الأهلي يغادر مباراة كهرباء الإسماعيلية مصابًا

وكان الأهلي تقدم بثلاثة أهداف، عن طريق أحمد نبيل كوكا وياسين مرعي ومحمد شريف. هدف كهرباء الإسماعيلية الأول أمام الأهلي

هدف كهرباء الإسماعيلية الثاني أمام الأهلي

Barcelona legend Ronaldinho will reportedly give out the 2025 Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday night as Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal vie for football's most prestigious individual award. Dembele is being tipped as the favourite to win the Golden Ball after playing a key role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic treble success last season.

• Getty/GOAL
  

  Ronaldinho to hand over Ballon d'Or

  According to, Barcelona legend and 2005 Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldinho is all set to hand out the Golden Ball in Paris on Monday night. Incidentally, former Barca star Dembele and current Camp Nou sensation Yamal are considered to be the two frontrunners for this year's prize.

  🟡 How to watch the Ballon d'Or 2025 ceremony

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  Ronaldinho replaced ex-Barca star

  claims that another ex-Barca star, Hristo Stoichkov, who won the award in 1994, was initially picked to present the award. Stoichkov had publicly mentioned that he would be the one to give out the prize, however, Ronaldinho has now been picked as the main guest at the ceremony in Paris.

• Major stars to skip Ballon d'Or ceremony

  Kylian Mbappe, Pedri and Robert Lewandowski are among the star names unlikely to be present in Paris to attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Real Madrid star Mbappe has publicly stated that he will watch the show on television, while backing compatriot Dembele to win the award. Barca duo Pedro and Lewandowski, on the other hand, will skip the event as they are reportedly not in the running to win the prize.

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  Will Dembele be attending?

  Despite being the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or, it has been suggested that Dembele won't be present in Paris on Monday as PSG are set to face Marseille in a rescheduled Ligue 1 fixture. The Classique was postponed on Sunday due to extreme weather conditions. However, Dembele, who is one of eight PSG players nominated for the Ballon d'Or, was left out of Luis Enrique's initial squad for the game due to injury, and may yet remain in Paris for the ceremony while his team-mates head back to Marseille.

Daniel Levy and co appear determined to put Tottenham’s Eberechi Eze humiliation firmly behind them, with Spurs considering a host of new late options for the number 10 role amid their dire need for a playmaker.

The Lilywhites, and Levy in particular, have attracted huge criticism after missing out on a deal for Eze – who had agreed personal terms to join Thomas Frank’s side with an agreement in principle also reached club-to-club.

However, Spurs’ apparent haggling over the 27-year-old’s now-expired £68 million release clause, as well as Palace’s hesitation, ultimately cost them.

Oliver Glasner’s side, at least initially, also wanted Eze to feature in their 1-0 Europa Conference League play-off win on Thursday.

Following this second public transfer humiliation of the transfer window after their famously botched deal for Morgan Gibbs-White, Levy and Frank are now tasked with reacting in the strongest possible manner.

The Gibbs-White deal was, to give Tottenham their due, much more complicated. The north Londoners were ready to pay £60 million and trigger his release clause, only for Evangelos Marinakis to block the deal, threaten legal action and tie the 25-year-old down in never-before-seen fashion.

Eze’s was a case of being beaten to the punch in a more traditional hijack, something which Spurs have done themselves before, but Frank will be devastated to miss out on yet another world-class, Premier League-proven creator.

Tottenham make approach to sign Xavi Simons after Eberechi Eze blow

Speaking of hijacks, according to Fabrizio Romano, it is believed that top Chelsea target and RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons has found his way on to Levy’s transfer shortlist.

Chelsea have been in talks to sign Simons for a long time now, but their need to sell players, whilst not yet fully agreeing a deal with Leipzig, has delayed the Dutchman’s move to London.

Simoms has been a revelation for the Bundesliga side ever since he initially joined on loan at the start of 2023/2024, and this isn’t lost on Levy, with Romano claiming that Tottenham have made contact over Simons in recent days.

As Frank’s side seemingly consider hijacking a deal of their own, it appears they may not have much luck, with the player determined to join Chelsea right now.

The 22-year-old, who joined Leipzig from PSG permanently in January, became their highest-ever paid player in the process – earning £192,000-per-week.

Darwin Nunez continues to trundle toward the exit door at Liverpool, leaving behind him a pre-season of preparation in red that has been rich with goals.

But the Uruguayan started only once in the Premier League after Boxing Day last season and scored just seven goals across 47 matches in all competitions. Given that he scored a brace against Brentford, the 25-year-old blanked 41 times under Arne Slot’s wing last year.

So then, Liverpool will need to sign a new striker, even having purchased Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m fee.

Given that Luis Diaz was sold to Bayern Munich for £65.5m last month, you might think a new electric-paced left winger would be at the top of sporting director Richard Hughes’ agenda.

But Rio Ngumoha may well have changed that narrative.

Liverpool's latest prodigy

A star is born. Ngumoha cannot be denied now: this is an up-and-coming player with the potential to go right to the top.

But let’s park our excitement for a moment; Ngumoha is only 16 after all, and must be dripped into life on the professional circuit, not poured right in and exhausted before he has had the chance to develop his remarkable technical and athletic faculties.

Still, his goal-and-assist performance against Athletic Bilbao on Monday afternoon was quite the Anfield debut. Friendly though it was, the attacking midfielder played with such gusto and slickness on the ball, striding forward and unleashing a confident looping strike from outside the area to turn the limelight onto him.

Is it any wonder he has been described as a “special” talent by journalist Bence Bocsak, who said the teenager “has completed more dribbles (14) than any other #LFC player in pre-season.”

Slot will be keen to placate the mounting noise around his name, but you can’t help but think that Liverpool have spawned a custom-built Diaz replacement, one who might play quite the important role in the years to come.

Nguomha’s ball-carrying ability and capacity for goal contributions of all shapes and sizes suggest he could form a dangerous partnership with Ekitike over the coming years, but the same stands for another centre-forward Liverpool are interested in signing this summer.

Liverpool lining up another striker

No, it’s not Alexander Isak we’re on about here. The Newcastle United number nine is Liverpool’s dream target, but the Magpies are playing hardball and might not even find a fitting replacement.

Thus, Caught Offside have revealed that Liverpool have entered the race for Paris Saint-Germain forward Goncalo Ramos, who has fallen out of favour in Luis Enrique’s system.

PSG would hope to recoup something in the ballpark of €65m (£56m) for the Portugal international, who, aged 24, hopes to take the next step in his career and become a focal point for his side.

Though Liverpool want to sign Isak above all others, Ramos would hardly be a poor fallback, and he’s also wanted by Aston Villa, Manchester United, Juventus and Napoli.

What Goncalo Ramos would bring to Liverpool

Ramos cut his teeth in his homeland with Benfica before signing for PSG in an €80m (£70m) deal in 2023, coming off the back of a breakout World Cup campaign in Qatar 2022.

Though the Iberian forward has only scored 33 goals across 86 matches for the French giants, assisting eight goals besides, he’s rarely featured as the star man, starting ten Ligue 1 fixtures in 2024/25. Still, he scored ten times.

And the underlying data is in his favour too. As per FBref, Ramos ranked among the top 4% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goals scored, the top 11% for assists, the top 9% for pass completion and the top 2% for touches in the attacking box per 90.

The steady rate of prolific performances across Ramos’ senior career thus far suggests that Slot could shape into one of the world’s foremost forwards, proving the perfect long-term dance partner for an up-and-coming talent like Ngumoha.

Hailed as an “outrageous” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Ramos’ wide range of offensive instruments bespeaks his suitability in Slot’s system at Liverpool. He’s fast, powerful and nimble, suggesting he could operate across a variety of roles for a coach who has displayed a preference for forwards who are willing to be fluid in their roles.

But if Ngumoha’s fast-developing potential has anything to say, it’s unlikely that Slot would be seeking to convert the right-footer into a left-sided forward, whose pace would be used to swerve inside, ready to strike on goal.

Furthermore, Ekitike has indeed already signed on and will bring to the Premier League a more refined and expansive game as a frontman. In any case, the Frenchman is a mean and still-improving goalscorer himself, thus apt to dovetail right into the Slot machine.

But Ramos would bring the icing on the cake, ensuring Liverpool have enough firepower to compete across multiple fronts this season, even if the concerted effort to sign Isak falls flat.

FBref record that both Isak and Ekitike are statistically comparable players to the PSG star, so he’s certainly got the right skill set.

And with Ngumoha already making waves within the Liverpool first team, there’s no reason why these two stars couldn’t strike up a mesmerising partnership in the years to come.

Ekitike repeat: Liverpool prepare £50m offer for "monster"; it's not Isak

Liverpool are still hoping to complete several signings before the end of the transfer window.

2

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 5, 2025

Nottingham Forest are keen to strengthen the ranks before the window shuts and have now opened talks with an experienced international over a move to the City Ground, according to a report.

Nottingham Forest draw at Selhurst Park amid managerial uncertainty

Creating a backdrop of intrigue, the furore over Crystal Palace’s expulsion from the Europa League that led to Nottingham Forest taking their place fanned the flames of an entertaining 1-1 draw between both sides at Selhurst Park last weekend.

Furthermore, Nuno Espirito Santo’s uncertain future and links with Ange Postecoglou replacing him at the City Ground haven’t quietened things down, albeit the Portuguese boss appeared to cool talk that he is set for an imminent exit.

He told Match of the Day: “I am a person that thinks a lot before saying anything. I say because I believe that things can improve but now is a moment to ignore the noise and focus on what I have to do. My job is clear.

“Of course, there will be resolution. Everything is going to be OK, for sure. It is the moment to sit down and talk. More important is how we play football and I think we are improving, trying to adjust some things and that is where my focus is.”

Speculation is rife over potential additions and AS Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa is on Nottingham Forest’s radar to strengthen their midfield amid competition from West Ham United for his signature.

Matty Cash could also pitch up at the City Ground to provide competition for Ola Aina at full-back, and many suspect there will be more signings to come as Espirito Santo looks to build a squad capable of challenging for continental qualification once again.

Nottingham Forest open talks to sign Dominik Livakovic

According to The Guardian, Nottingham Forest have opened talks to sign Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and he is open to a Premier League move before the window draws to a close.

The Croatia international, who has been capped 66 times by his country, is wanted to provide competition for Matz Sels between the sticks and his current employers would be willing to let him leave Istanbul should the correct fee be put on the table.

Nottingham Forest "exploring" deal to sign "versatile" Premier League rival

Forest fans are more than familiar with his ability.

ByTom Cunningham Aug 21, 2025

Praised by Luka Modric for his role in Croatia’s penalty shoot-out victory over Japan at the 2022 World Cup, the 30-year-old kept nine clean sheets in 32 appearances last season, maintaining a save percentage of 66.2%.

Ante Budimir also lauded Livakovic’s “absolutely unbeliavable” contribution on that famous night in Qatar, though he has now fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho and could be set for an exciting new challenge.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have made their interest known over the last few years. However, Livakovic would provide genuine competition for Sels and Angus Gunn as the Tricky Trees juggle domestic and European endeavours.

Everton felt the excitement as they waved goodbye to Goodison Park and geared up for a new chapter at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, led once again by David Moyes.

But that excitement has been tempered by a frustrating summer transfer window, with the Premier League season now up and running and Everton still in need of a few more faces.

The Toffees were defeated at Leeds United in their season opener, and while the likes of off-the-bench debutants Jack Grealish and Thierno Barry illustrated the start of a new-look Everton, there’s no question that the performance was flat, and that it’s imperative that something is done before the closure of the transfer window.

Everton hunting more signings

Everton’s one-goal defeat at Elland Road left a lot to be desired, and it’s clear that the club need more sparkle going forward.

Grealish will be billed as one of the principal providers in that regard, but the Blues could do with a few more signings to assist the England international.

Though Everton need right-siders and perhaps another forward too, Moyes is considering a move that would bolster his central ranks, and he’s peering over the edge of the Premier League and into the Championship.

Well, according to Football Insider, Everton are now working on a deal for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, though they face stiff competition from Crystal Palace in the race for the 23-year-old.

A move to Ipswich Town has already fallen through for the English talent, with a £20m fee agreed between the clubs, but personal terms proving insurmountable at the negotiating table.

What Hayden Hackney would bring to Everton

Hackney has completed 116 appearances for Middlesbrough since graduating from the club’s youth academy, establishing himself as one of the maestros of England’s second tier.

An all-action player, Hackney is calm and composed when against the ball and sharp and intelligent when in possession, with his natural-born creativity allowing him to influence from the deeper fathoms of the midfield.

Last season, he started 43 times in the Championship, completing 85% of his passes and averaging 1.5 key passes and 6.5 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.

Such vast ground-covering performances would add much to Moyes’ Everton side, and the Boro star might even prove the perfect midfield partner to restore Grealish to his one-time level, having been untouchable during that final year at Aston Villa in 2020/21.

Jack Grealish – Prem Stats 20/21

Stats (* per game)

#

Matches (starts)

26 (24)

Goals

6

Assists

10

Shots (on target)*

1.9 (0.7)

Big chances missed

4

Pass completion

83%

Big chances created

14

Key passes*

3.2

Dribbles*

2.5

Tackles + interceptions*

1.7

Total duels (won)*

8.9 (61%)

Stats via Sofascore

It was a truly remarkable year from the Three Lions star, one that saw him earn his record-breaking move to Pep Guardiola’s brood. However, Grealish has lost his sparkle over the past few years in Manchester and could rekindle that flame on Merseyside.

Everton aren’t blessed with the same depth of technical quality as Man City, but the Birmingham-born forward should have greater freedom to roam and make things happen, and with Hackney playing in balls from behind, the chances of a fluent system are only increased.

As per data from FBref, Hackney ranked among the top 5% of midfielders in the Championship last season for passes attempted, the top 1% for progressive passes, the top 8% for shot-creating actions and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90.

There’s no question that he bears the range of passing and the athleticism to add a dimension to Everton’s midfield, thus providing the fleet-footed Grealish with a constant supply line from which he can work his magic in and around the penalty area.

Hailed by former Boro boss Michael Carrick for his “immense” performance against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup during the 2023/24 season, Hackney has spent plenty of time developing his skills in the Championship and is surely now ready to take the leap forward into the Premier League.

His long, calculated passing puts him in a different category from Everton’s current midfield crop, and he would be the perfect kind of deep-lying playmaker to restore Grealish’s X-factor and ensure the Toffees make it a successful and exciting season.

Related Their new Stones: TFG begin talks to sign "special" £26m star for Everton

Everton still hope to make a few signings before the end of the summer transfer window.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Aug 18, 2025

Afghanistan’s exiled players launch plea for donations as MCC, ECB show their support

Valkerie Baynes and Firdose Moonda31-Jan-20252:03

Mel Jones: This group of Afghanistan women are trying to rebuild their lives

Pressure is mounting on the ICC to act amid the announcement of fundraising efforts to support Afghanistan’s exiled women’s cricketers, who played their first match together this week.The Pitch Our Future campaign, led by former Australia cricketer turned commentator Mel Jones, launched on Friday aimed at attracting online donations to support the players’ sporting, physical and mental needs so that they can continue to compete regularly as a team.Meanwhile, the MCC and MCC Foundation have set up the Global Refugee Cricket Fund to support refugees worldwide, backed by a £100,000 donation from the ECB and with an initial focus to raise money for Pitch Our Future.Related

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Exiled Afghanistan women players to men's team: 'Please be the voice of the girls'

Powerplay: How cricket helped Afghanistan women escape

World Cricketers Association calls out 'random and inconsistent' support for Afghanistan women

In announcing the fund and the establishment of an advisory board, the MCC “invited” the ICC’s participation, while Clare Connor, the ECB’s deputy chief executive, hoped the fund’s launch would “inspire other cricketing organisations” to lend their support.The announcements follow pleas to the ICC to ring-fence funding for the players on the basis that Afghanistan remain full ICC members despite no longer being able to fulfil the requirement to field a women’s team under its Taliban government.The players wrote to the ICC last July asking for help in establishing themselves as a refugee team. In lieu of a response, they formed an Afghanistan Women’s XI with the help of Jones and a team of dedicated volunteers, and played their first game on Thursday.As told to ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast, Jones was instrumental in helping 19 players formerly contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board and their families escape to Australia after the Taliban took over in 2021 and banned women’s sport in their country. Since then, women have been subjected to increasingly restrictive laws in Afghanistan which have effectively excluded them from public life.Jones was helped by Emma Staples, Cricket Victoria’s Head of Diversity and Community, and Dr Catherine Ordway from the University of Canberra among others, whose efforts resulted in Thursday’s T20 exhibition against a Cricket Without Borders XI.