هاجم جيروم روثن، لاعب منتخب فرنسا السابق، كيليان مبابي، نجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد بعد استبعاده من مباراة أذربيجان في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.
وكان الاتحاد الفرنسي لكرة القدم قد أعلن عبر موقعه الرسمي عن استبعاد ثلاثة لاعبين من قائمة مباراة أذريبجان وهم مانو كونيه وإدوارد كامافينجا وكيليان مبابي.
ويواجه منتخب فرنسا نظيره أذربيجان مساء غدٍ الأحد، في إطار منافسات الجولة الأخيرة من تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.
وجاء سبب استبعاد كيليان مبابي بسبب معاناته من التهاب في كاحله الأيمن ويحتاج لمزيد من الفحوصات وسيخضع لكشف طبي في مدريد.
اقرأ أيضًا | استبعاد لاعب ريال مدريد من مباراة إسبانيا وجورجيا في تصفيات كأس العالم
وقال روثن، في تصريحات عبر صحيفة “آس”: “مبابي هو القائد ويحظى بمعاملة خاصة لا بأس من ذلك لكن هناك لاعبون آخرون يخوضون العدد نفسه من المباريات على مدار العام، هل تعتقد أنهم ليسوا مُرهقين ولا يُفضلون الغياب عن مباراة لا معنى لها؟ يذهبون لأنهم مُجبرون على ذلك”.
وأضاف: “هل يحظى مبابي بمعاملة خاصة؟ عندما تفوز يكون كل شيء على ما يرام ولكن عندما تتعقد الأمور فإن اتخاذ قرارات كهذه قد يسبب مشاكل في غرف الملابس، وما زلت مقتنعًا بأن هناك لاعبين سئموا من معاملة مبابي معاملة تفضيلية عليهم”.
وأتم: “لا أحد يقول شيئًا عندما تفوز ولكن عندما تحدث الهزائم تجني ثمار هذه القرارات التفضيلية، ما زلت أعتقد أن هناك لاعبين سئموا من كل هذا”.
Given the very underwhelming start to the season the club have endured, Celtic supporters are demanding reinforcements when the transfer window re-opens in January.
During the summer, the Scottish Premiership champions did make 11 senior signings, albeit the arrivals of Marcelo Saracchi, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Ịheanachọ all came right at the end of the window, after the club had crashed out in the Champions League play-off round against Kairat.
Meantime, Brendan Rodgers’ side were beaten 2-0 by Dundee at Dens on Sunday, so are currently five points adrift current league leaders Hearts, who they face at Tynecastle in an eagerly-anticipated clash on Sunday.
In summary, supporters are not happy, chants of “sack the board” can be heard loud and clear at every game, so could a new signing or two this Christmas help lift the mood?
Celtic targeting January reinforcements
Last week, totally out of the blue, it was reported that Celtic were close to signing Bobby Clark for £6m; the 20-year-old midfielder is currently on loan at Derby County from RB Salzburg.
However, Rodgers told Sky Sports “I haven’t a clue where that has come from”, pretty emphatically shutting those rumours down.
More recently, according to a report by Sports Boom, Celtic ‘have expressed an interest’ in re-signing Andy Robertson from Liverpool.
While the defender learned his trade at Queen’s Park and Dundee United, he was in the Hoops academy from 2003 to 2009.
The report adds that the Scotland captain is into the final 12 months of his £160k-per-week contract on Merseyside, so will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement come 1 January, but the Premier League champions may be willing to sell before then, ‘providing the price is right’.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
So, could the 31-year-old soon swap Anfield for Celtic Park?
Why Celtic could seal a bigger coup than Clark
Since joining Liverpool from Hull City for around £8m eight years ago, Robertson has been an absolute stalwart of the Reds’ success.
Right now, only nine men have made more Premier League appearances for Liverpool than Robertson, set to overtake Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robbie Fowler in the next few weeks.
During the 254 appearances, the left-back has accumulated 56 assists, meaning he ranks among the very best defenders in Premier League history by this measure, as the table below documents.
Defenders – most assists in PL history
Players
Assists
Trent Alexander-Arnold
67
Andy Robertson
56
Leighton Baines
56
Antonio Valencia
52
Graeme Le Saux
44
Kieran Trippier
38
Kyle Walker
37
Andy Hinchcliffe
36
Ian Harte
36
César Azpilicueta
36
Stats via Squawka and Statmuse
As the table documents, Robertson is behind only former partner-in-crime Alexander-Arnold in terms of Premier League assists by defenders, underlining his attacking prowess, with Liverpool legend, and former Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard labelling the duo “world-class”.
He has been such a key contributor at Liverpool for so many seasons, making his current predicament peculiar.
The Scotsman started 29 Premier League games last season, but hasn’t started any this time round so far, following the arrival of Miloš Kerkez from Bournemouth, despite the fact the Hungarian is yet to impress.
Speaking on Sky Sports following Manchester United’s shock victory at Anfield on Sunday, Jamie Carragher said that he thinks it’s “strange” that Robertson is “getting treated like Tsimikas”, where Kerkez is the undisputed first-choice and Robertson is a deputy, rather than even a rotation option.
If that continues to be the case, it appears pretty likely that he’ll be on the move in 2026, so could Robertson fulfill a lifelong ambition?
Born and raised in Glasgow, Robertson has spoken repeatedly about his desire to play for Celtic one day, having been released by the club as a 15-year-old, before going on to play for Queen’s Park and Dundee United.
In 2022, he stated that he’s “always dreamed” of representing his boyhood club, elaborating that “when you watch them and see a packed Celtic Park… as a fan you always have that dream”.
At international level, the 31-year-old now has 88 caps to his name, just three behind Jim Leighton, while chasing down Sir Kenny Dalglish’s all-time record of 102 that has stood since 1986.
Of course, the eternal dilemma for Scotland managers has been how does one get both Kieran Tierney and Robertson into the same side, a headache that could soon not only occur at Hampden, but three miles across the city at Celtic Park too.
Nevertheless, the addition of the national team captain would represent a major coup for the Hoops, with his Premier League experience and title-winning credentials far exceeding the undoubted promise of a player like Clark, one who previously struggled to make his mark after joining Red Bull Salzburg last summer.
With Celtic also already boasting similar talents to the Englishman, a deal for a figure like Robertson should well be the priority, helping to get supporters back on side, adding much-needed experience and quality to this struggling outfit.
Not just Yang & Scales: 18-touch Celtic dud must be dropped by Rodgers
Celtic suffered their first Premiership defeat of the season at Dundee on Sunday, and one flop, not Liam Scales or Yang Hyun-Jun, must be dropped.
Vincent Kompany has "reinvented" Bayern Munich and turned the Bundesliga giants into one of the top contenders for the Champions League title this season, club legend Lothar Matthaus says. The Bavarian side still have a perfect record this season and it is due to the Belgian coach's "honesty and clarity" that they have enjoyed such a blistering start, according to the former Germany star.
Bayern continue perfect start
Under Kompany's leadership, Bayern have enjoyed a brilliant start to their 2025-26 campaign. Saturday's win 3-0 win at Borussia Monchengladbach was their 13th straight victory in all competitions, matching a record among Europe's top leagues that was set by AC Milan in 1992-93. The home team went a man down within the first 20 minutes, but it was not until after the hour mark that Bayern's demolition began when Joshua Kimmich opened the scoring and Raphael Guerreiro added to the lead five minutes later. Lennart Karl put the final nail to the coffin in the 81st minute as Kompany's men sealed a third win in seven days, following the 2-1 Klassiker win against Borussia Dortmund and the 4-0 Champions League dismantling of Belgian giants Club Brugge.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhat did Matthaus say?
Matthaus, who won six Bundesliga titles with Bayern and the World Cup with Germany, said on : "With Kompany, we've struck a great deal. Kompany has once again involved the players in his decisions and has spoken clearly, openly, and honestly. He has reinvented FC Bayern after four or five years of turmoil and has done many things the club had missed during those years. If they maintain this level of performance, they'll be one of the big favourites for the Champions League."
Kompany praises new Bayern teenage sensation
The new addition to the senior team, 17-year-old Karl, has now scored in consecutive games. Against Club Brugge, he put on a man of the match display and found the back of the net yet again against Monchengladbach just three minutes after coming off the bench, replacing Luis Diaz. A representative of the German U-17 national team, for whom he has scored seven goals in 13 caps, Karl rose through the Bayern youth academy to finally be integrated into Kompany's squad this season. The manager said about the youngster: "He’s now scored two goals in a row, he’s having a good momentum. When there’s a lot of hype, which is normal at a club like Bayern, the key is to have a calm entourage and to keep working. And when there’s criticism, you keep doing the same thing. Then everything will be fine for Lenny."
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AFPTough 10 days ahead for Bayern
Bayern currently sit atop the Bundesliga table with 24 points in eight games. They have the best offensive and defensive record in the competition, with 30 goals scored and just four conceded. However, they will face three sturdy challenges in the upcoming 10 days, which include a game in the DFB-Pokal, a Champions League outing, and a tough Bundesliga fixture too. On October 29, they'll take on Koln in the second round of the domestic cup. After a cooling period of just two days, they'll be back at the Allianz Arena to welcome a new-look Bayer Leverkusen on November 1. Three days later, on November 4, they'll face perhaps the toughest challenge of the season in Luis Enrique's Paris Saint-Germain, who won the Champions League last season and are in red-hot form in the continental competition, sitting in pole position with three wins in as many games and 13 goals scored. Bayern have the same goal difference as the reigning European champions, and will be eager to take a firm grasp of first place when they visit the French capital.
A title-winning manager once described as the “best coach in the world” has been mentioned as an option for Manchester United, should Ruben Amorim lose his job.
Amorim positive after Man Utd's win over Sunderland
The Red Devils picked up a vital three points in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, overcoming Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford, thanks to goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko.
Speaking after the game, Amorim assessed a positive day at the office for United, with the Portuguese potentially even saving his job by winning.
“That is the kind of game where when we are not playing well, we are defending well. Today was not a perfect performance. We had our moments. Senne [Lammens] did really well also. We were competitive and an adult team today. We need to win these games and win clean sheets.”
For United and their manager, this really did feel like a must-win game, with dropped points at home to a newly-promoted team feeling disastrous, even though Sunderland have been in good form.
There’s now a two-week break before the Red Devils make the trip to Liverpool after the international break, and while Amorim is safe for now, other managers continue to be linked with his job.
Barcelona legend Xavi waiting for Man Utd job, snubs Saudi offers
According to Caught Offside, Barcelona legend Xavi “could be a name to watch” for Manchester United, should the club part ways with Amorim, with the Spaniard seemingly “waiting” for the job.
The 45-year-old is said to be keen on the idea of managing in England, and has “instructed his representatives to reject offers from Saudi Pro League clubs”.
Xavi would be an interesting option for United, having won the La Liga title with Barca in 2022/23, years after a legendary playing career there. He adopts an attacking 4-3-3 formation, which could go down well with supporters who don’t like Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, and Barca president Joan Laporta once heaped huge praise on him back in 2022.
“I am very lucky to have the best coach in the world, because Xavi, in addition to his great football knowledge, is a man who is always very interesting to listen to with his reasoning, who is also a club man and is very aligned with the club. We share moments together, and also we share much of everything that is being done, and I feel very accompanied and supported with Xavi and all his staff.”
Despite this, United have to be careful not to keep jumping from manager to manager, and should only hire a new head coach if they genuinely feel he is a vastly superior option to Amorim.
100% passing, 8 duels won: Man Utd star just outshone Mount & Sesko
Man Utd were 2-0 victors over Sunderland on Saturday afternoon
ByJoe Nuttall Oct 4, 2025
The Red Devils’ current boss clearly needs to do better, but it is easy to envisage a scenario where Xavi comes in and also finds it hard. He could excel, in fairness, and is a legendary figure in the game, but holding fire for now is arguably the best option.
Everton have come on leaps and bounds under David Moyes’ leadership (again), but Tuesday evening’s defeat at Molineux was a tough one to take.
Yet again, the Toffees have fallen from the League Cup at an early stage. Four times in five seasons have they exited in the third round, and Moyes will very much plan to revive the outfit’s trophy-winning ambitions after so many years without silverware.
However, there’s ample reason to be excited as the Merseysiders continue to make headway in the Premier League and shape back into an outfit of a higher station.
And it’s rousing to note that Jarrad Branthwaite has yet to kick a ball this season, injured but preparing for a comeback that could take Everton to the next level.
The latest on Branthwaite's fitness
For the second season running, Everton have kicked things off with Branthwaite in the infirmary. This year, though, the Blues have avoided an early-season slump, sat in tenth place with seven points after five fixtures.
The 23-year-old’s return will work wonders, though, with Branthwaite recognised as one of the most talented and valuable centre-backs in the country.
Solid, strong and deceptively dynamic on the ball, Branthwaite will calm a backline hardly in need of placation, and he will improve the overall fluency of an Everton side transitioning to a more modern-tailored form.
A look at the England international’s past two Premier League campaigns tells you all you need to know about his prowess.
Branthwaite in the Premier League
Match Stats (* per game)
23/24
24/25
Matches (starts)
35 (35)
30 (28)
Goals
3
0
Assists
0
1
Clean sheets
12
8
Touches*
52.2
51.9
Accurate passes*
31.4 (80%)
32.7 (83%)
Ball recoveries*
5.2
3.1
Tackles*
1.9
1.2
Interceptions*
1.4
0.9
Clearances*
4.5
6.3
Ground duels won*
2.5 (67%)
1.9 (69%)
Aerial duels won*
2.7 (68%)
2.1 (59%)
Data via Sofascore
The defenders are doing well, but Everton still need a bit more solidity and dynamism in midfield. Branthwaite’s return will help in that regard, but certain stars, such as Tim Iroegbunam, have left plenty to be desired over the opening weeks of the term.
Iroegbunam is still young, but he’s not been at the races so far, branded a “passenger” against Aston Villa by Everton writer Lyndon Lloyd, and then looking unconvincing against Wolves on Tuesday.
Everton could do with an upgrade, and instead of breaking the bank in next year’s transfer market, they might fancy repeating a trick that worked well with Branthwaite and promoting Harrison Armstrong to Moyes’ first team.
Armstrong could become an Everton starter
Armstrong, 18, is widely regarded as one of Everton’s most talented players within the academy system, and on transfer deadline day, he joined Preston North End in the Championship on loan until the end of the season.
Everton view this as a campaign of significance for the teenager, who is considered a potential superstar and who is anticipated to dovetail into Moyes’ senior set-up in the coming years.
Already he has featured eight times for Everton’s senior side, claiming three assists. Against Mansfield Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup this term, he started and played the full 90, registering two assists, winning four duels and completing 91% of his passes (data via Sofascore).
During a previous loan spell with Derby County, John Eustace described the prospect as one of “phenomenal” potential, and there has been little since to have dissuaded the Toffees hierarchy from maintaining this stance.
His tenacity in the duel and flowering quality on the ball, creating chances, has already seen him win over the Everton fanbase, with some no doubt hankering for his presence ahead of Iroegbunam’s in the Toffees centre.
There are more who will be frustrated with the decision to loan him out, but Everton are well-stocked, and a short-term stint in the Championship could work wonders in the long run.
After all, Armstrong may well be looking to take a leaf out of Branthwaite’s book
Branthwaite cut his teeth over in Holland with PSV Eindhoven during the 2022/23 campaign, and he returned to the Premier League a more refined and robust defender, hailed by pundit Ian Wright as a “monster” who has “got everything” needed to be an elite centre-half.
Still young and with much to learn, Branthwaite is already regarded as one of the Premier League’s best defenders, and Moyes’ side are only going to improve when he returns to full fitness.
The club’s Young Player of the Year across each of the past two terms, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Armstrong emulate him there, slotting into the middle of the park with ease, providing new levels of technical support while shielding the backline too.
Branthwaite came back a better player after his year abroad, and now, Armstrong has opted to develop his talents away from Everton before returning the full package.
When he does return to his parent club, it feels likely that Moyes will look to hand the youngster plenty of opportunities to prove himself, and that may well come at Iroegbunam’s expense.
The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland remarked toward the end of pre-season that there is an “awful lot to like” about Armstrong, and if he completes another successful term in the second tier, there is every belief among The Friedkin Group officials and Moyes and Everton that he will grow into a leading light at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
His rise may indeed hinder Iroegbunam’s own prospects of thriving at the club, but if that is for the greater good of Moyes’ Everton project, it’s something of a no-brainer.
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The forecast is for overcast conditions and spells of rain through most of the day
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Mar-2025There was a fair bit of overnight rain in Kolkata, the venue for the IPL 2025 opener between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), but around mid-day, the sun made an appearance to raise hopes of an uninterrupted game. The forecast, though, is for overcast conditions to remain for most of the day and for occasional showers throughout the day, including during match time.A bulletin from the Indian Met Department on Friday had said an “orange alert” had been issued for the region – Gangetic West Bengal.Kolkata has been hit by spells of persistent – though not heavy – rain in the lead up to the season opener with rain cutting short both teams’ training sessions on Friday. Earlier in the week, a KKR intra-squad practice match was washed out after only one innings. Light rain had hit the city on Wednesday and Thursday too, although both teams completed their training sessions then.The KKR vs RCB fixture is scheduled for a 7pm toss and a 7.30pm start. The league stage of the IPL allows for an extra hour of time extension, which means a five-overs-a-side game must end by midnight. In case of a no-result, the two will share one point each.After the game at Eden Gardens, defending champions KKR travel to Guwahati to face Rajasthan Royals (RR) on March 26, while RCB fly to Chennai to face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 28.An opening ceremony has also been planned before the toss.
Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta are somehow not done in the summer transfer market, despite spending over £250 million already this window.
The Gunners’ ambition to end their two-decade-long wait for a Premier League title is crystal clear from their excellent deals for Kepa, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze, with Mikel Arteta backed to the hilt.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetacelebrates after the match
Their transfer spending since Arteta took charge has now surpassed the £900 million mark after their sensational hijack of Tottenham’s deal for Eze, so failure to win the league gives Arteta no place to hide.
Arsenal have made a perfect start to the new campaign – scoring six goals in two games whilst conceding none – with current English champions Liverpool awaiting them at Anfield on Sunday in what will be their arguable toughest test of 2025/2026.
With deadline day just four days away, following a phenomenal debut summer for Berta as their main transfer chief, all that’s left to do now is to ensure Arsenal finish it as strongly as possible.
Arteta cannot afford to be weakened by outgoings, and they have a plan to replace Jakub Kiwior, who’s on the verge of joining FC Porto on loan with an obligation to buy in 2026.
With Kiwior preparing to depart for Portugal, Arsenal have entered talks for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
Bayer Leverkusen working to replace Piero Hincapie after Arsenal pact
According to reliable media sources, the Ecaudor international has already agreed personal terms on a move to Arsenal and wants to join Arteta’s side, with Fabrizio Romano now confirming that they’re in club-to-club negotiations too.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
Romano, speaking on Kraken earlier this week, has also said that Arsenal want to sign Hincapie on an initial loan deal with the obligation to buy, and before Leverkusen potentially agree to these terms, Erik ten Hag’s side are looking to source a replacement.
They’ve already made an approach for Newcastle United star Sven Botman as a candidate, but a deal for the Dutchman is seen as very difficult considering Eddie Howe and co are not keen on selling the player this late on.
The obligation to buy, according to BILD, could even be as low as £39 million, and there are many reasons why this could be deemed a bargain.
Hincapie was a mainstay of Leverkusen’s backline last year, and the versatile 23-year-old, who can play in multiple defensive areas, has long been linked with a move to the Premier League.
The final, the first without India in it, will be played from June 11 to 15
ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jan-20253:19
Cummins on making WTC final: ‘It’s huge, we talk about it a lot’
South Africa and Australia will contest the third World Test Championship final after the latter defeated India in Sydney to claim a 3-1 series win in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The match will be played at Lord’s from June 11 to 15.Australia still have two games left in the current cycle – against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka later this month. But even a 0-2 loss there would not be enough for either of India or Sri Lanka to displace them in the top two on the WTC table. For the record, even if Sri Lanka win the two-Test series 2-0, they will finish on 53.85 percentage points while Australia, currently on 63.73%, will finish on 57.02%. India, who needed a win in Sydney to stay in contention, have ended the current cycle on 50%. The only way Australia can lose out mathematically is if they concede eight penalty points in the two matches in Sri Lanka, which is next to impossible.Related
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WTC 2023-25 final to be played from June 11 at Lord's
South Africa became the first team to reach the final when they beat Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test in Centurion. They registered series wins over West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, while drawing their series at home against India and losing in New Zealand, where they went with a significantly weakened side. Reaching the WTC final capped a dream run for South Africa, who were the runners-up at both the men’s and women’s T20 World Cups earlier this year.”It’s been a great effort from everyone, and it feels like all the hard work we’ve put in over the past 12 months has paid off,” captain Temba Bavuma said after South Africa secured qualification last week. “Different guys have stepped up at different times – it’s been a real team effort. I also want to give a special thanks to Shukri [Conrad], our coach. The belief he’s instilled in us over the last year has been huge. He’s always backed us, and that confidence has been key in getting us to this point.”To play the World Test Championship final at Lord’s is a dream come true for any cricketer. It’s a huge occasion, and we can’t wait to take it all in.”The Australians got their hands on the Border Gavaskar Trophy after a long gap•Getty Images
After India lost their first Test series at home since 2012, losing 3-0 to New Zealand, Australia needed at least three wins to stay in contention for a spot in the WTC final. A defeat to India in Perth only made their path trickier but they pulled off wins in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney to seal the deal.”To hold the [Border-Gavaskar] Trophy is an amazing feeling, and the extra layer is now securing a spot in the World Test Championship final, which was always a huge goal for us in this cycle,” Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, said in an ICC release.”We talk about the World Test Championship a lot. It’s a trophy we’re really proud to hold so we want to go back and defend it. I think it’s a great tournament in that you’ve got to play well consistently and across all different conditions against different teams. We can’t wait to get over there.”This is the first time India are not part of the WTC final, having been runners-up to New Zealand and Australia in the first two editions.
Ollie Pope will keep wicket as tourists deal with fallout from Jordan Cox injury
Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Nov-2024
Jacob Bethell is set to bat No. 3 on Test debut•Getty Images
Jacob Bethell will make his Test debut for England at No. 3 against New Zealand in the first Test at Hagley Oval on Thursday, despite never having fulfilled the role in first-class cricket.As part of a reshuffled batting line-up following Jordan Cox’s broken thumb – who was initially set to debut with Jamie Smith missing the tour on paternity leave – the Warwickshire middle order batter will come in at first-drop to allow Ollie Pope to keep wicket with a more withdrawn role at six. Joe Root will remain at No.4 for his 150th cap.The selection of Bethell in a position of such responsibility is a reflection of the selectors’ regard for his talent. He made his T20I and ODI debuts against Australia at the end of the home summer, and impressed out in the Caribbean with three half-centuries across both formats on that white ball tour. He subsequently earned a maiden IPL gig with a £245,000 deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday.England XI for first Test against New Zealand•ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Nevertheless, the 21-year-old remains an unknown quantity in first-class cricket. He averages 25.44 from 30 innings, with just five half-centuries, none of which have come higher than No. 5. A career-best score of 93 came against Nottinghamshire in April. He will be come the first specialist batter to play Test cricket for England without a first-class century since Mike Gatting in 1978.Bethell only arrived in New Zealand on Sunday after time off at home following the West Indies series. As a result, he did not play any part in the two-day tour match against the New Zealand Prime Minister’s XI.In a year of left-field selections from England, this might rank as one on the outer reaches of that spectrum. Particularly given Root, with his wealth of experience, could have performed the role. While Ben Stokes has been keen to allow England’s leading Test run-scorer the comfort of batting No. 4 throughout his tenure as captain, it is worth noting Root’s 262 against Pakistan last month came at three.Speaking on Tuesday, Root revealed he had not been approached about batting three, but backed Bethell to take this fast-tracked promotion in his stride. Despite having never played together, the pair know each other well as their fathers played together at Sheffield Collegiate Cricket Club.”I love the look of him as a player,” said Root. “I’ve known Jacob and his family a long time and it’s been lovely to watch him grow up as a player coming through in Barbados then at Warwickshire. What he’s done in the white-ball stuff more recently has been exceptional.”He’s full of confidence, he’s got great ability and a really well rounded game. He’s a mature head on young shoulders and I think he has all the components to set him up nicely to be successful in this format and at this level. I’m sure he’ll enjoy every aspect of the week, I’m really looking forward to watching him do his stuff.”If you look at the way he sets up I think it suits that (batting at three), especially here with the little bit of extra bounce and carry. He plays very well square of the wicket and if he gets in on a wicket like that he could be very destructive. It’s a really exciting opportunity and prospect for us to see a young player coming in hopefully doing something really special at the start of his career.”This particular gamble has been forced, to a point. Cox’s injury in the nets on Sunday morning ahead of play in Queenstown threw their initial plans into disarray. There has been a further complication as Durham’s Ollie Robinson – due to be confirmed as the injury replacement – is currently getting his passport renewed. However it was unlikely he would have featured in the opening Test given the travel involved and the time needed to overcome jet lag.Despite a green seamer expected at Hagley Oval, England have chosen to persist with Shoaib Bashir as their spinner, with Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse the out-and-out seamers, and Stokes as the all-round option.England XI for first Test: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ollie Pope (wk), 7 Ben Stokes (capt), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Brydon Carse, 11 Shoaib Bashir
Sobhana Mostary hits 44 but England spinners shackle chase in low-scorer
Alan Gardner05-Oct-2024
Linsey Smith picked up two wickets as England closed out the game•ICC/Getty Images
England’s four-spinner attack shackled Bangladesh in a low-scorer at Sharjah to get their T20 World Cup campaign off to a winning start. Danni Wyatt-Hodge made 41 off 40 before England fell away with the bat but, on a slow, gripping surface, Bangladesh were kept in check throughout despite Sobhana Mostary’s career-best 44.With dew having played a limited role in the tournament so far, Heather Knight had opted to get a score on the board. Linsey Smith, the slow left-armer who spent six years out of the side, was selected in preference to Lauren Bell, alongside the formidable trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn. Smith bowled two in the powerplay, as England had hinted in the build-up, and finished with constricting figures of 2 for 11, as well as playing a part in the run-out of Nigar Sultana.Bangladesh had defended a similar score at this ground in their opening game against Scotland, but while Fahima Khatun and Ritu Moni were again impressive with the ball, they paid for allowing England to get away in the powerplay. Wyatt-Hodge and Maia Bouchier rode their luck at times – Bouchier was badly missed on 16 – but an opening stand of 48 in 6.4 overs opened up a chasm between the sides.The chase rarely got out of second gear, with only Mostary and Nigar reaching double-figures. Mostary should have been stumped on nought and would have been out lbw on 8 had England reviewed but she prevented the innings from flatlining even as Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships.Mostary anchors, Bangladesh groundedIn contrast to the start made by England, Bangladesh managed just one boundary during the powerplay, losing both openers to be off the pace on 20 for 2. Dilara Akter, into the XI in place of Murshida Khatun, missed a sweep at Dean to be lbw in the fourth over, before Shathi Rani took on Smith only to be taken by the leaping Ecclestone at mid-off.The rebuilding job fell to Mostary, who had top-scored in victory over Scotland, and the captain, Nigar. The latter signalled that Bangladesh weren’t out of it, despite the climbing run rate, as she twice danced out to hit Glenn for fours in the ninth over.Bangladesh reached 42 for 2 at halfway, with Mostary picking up her first boundary shortly after as the third-wicket pair looked to push on. But Nigar was run out taking on Smith’s arm for a second that wasn’t there and Glenn bowled Shorna Akter to pile the pressure on Mostary. She responded by thrashing Dean over deep midwicket for six, leaving the requirement 40 from the last four overs. In the end, it was too much of an ask – although keeping Ecclestone wicketless for only the second time in 36 T20Is was a small victory.Early runningThe opening exchanges were watchful, as England attempted to size up a pitch they had never previously played on. It wasn’t until the fourth over that Wyatt-Hodge hit the first boundary – by which point she and opening partner Bouchier had been involved in three near-mishaps with their running.Bouchier survived a direct hit in the first over, via a well-judged tip-and-run to mid-off. Wyatt-Hodge was then left sprawling face first for the line as she attempted an even tighter single, only saved by the time it took Nahida Akter to return the ball to the non-striker’s stumps. And Wyatt-Hodge should have gone in the next over, picking out Moni in the covers and then sent back by Bouchier – only for the fielder to make a complete hash of throwing the ball in.The pair soon decided that boundaries were preferable to risky singles. Wyatt-Hodge swiped Fahima over square leg and then drilled four more through cover; Bouchier climbed into Marufa Akter as the swing began to wear off, striking back-to-back fours – although she should have gone next ball when prodding to point, where Rabeya Khan put down a straightforward chance. Another brace of fours off Nahida in the sixth over and England were up and running, 47 without loss from the powerplay.England progress stalledFrom that point on, Sharjah’s slow-and-low surface began to exert its influence on proceedings. England scored 29 runs and lost four wickets over the course of the next 6.1 overs as Bangladesh’s plethora of pace-off options came to the fore. Bouchier was first to go, plinking Rabeya to mid-on, and Nat Sciver-Brunt did not last long, playing around Fahima’s legbreak to be plumb lbw.Wyatt-Hodge and Knight steadied things but Moni’s peach did for the England captain, nipping the ball through the gate to hit middle and leg. When Wyatt-Hodge walked past one from Nahida to be stumped miles from safety, England were 76 for 4 and wondering how to resuscitate the innings in suffocating conditions.Alice Capsey became the first batter outside of the top two to find the boundary with a sweep off Nahida in the same over, but she became Fahima’s second victim when reversing straight to point. Danielle Gibson huffed and puffed, striking one four before edging behind for 7 off 11, while Amy Jones tried to make the most of being dropped on 3. From the penultimate ball, Ecclestone finally managed a clean hit, lofting the only six of the innings straight back down the ground.