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His absence for the Champions Trophy is a huge blow for England and news on Kevin Pietersen’s fitness is now set to dominate the next few months

George Dobell25-Apr-2013Any regular spectator at Taunton in the early 1980s would be familiar with the sensation as the public address system announced: “No. 11 on your scorecard, Joel Garner, has been replaced by No. 12, Dennis Breakwell.” Sighs followed. Breakwell, a slow left-arm spinner, was a worthy cricketer, but he was no replacement for Garner.So it feels for England today. Several worthy candidates have an opportunity to take the position vacated by Kevin Pietersen in the team participating in the Champions Trophy. But none of them can truly be said to replace him.Some will deny that. They will state, quite reasonably, that England reached No. 1 in the ODI rankings last year without Pietersen and they will state, quite reasonably, that Pietersen played in only four of England’s run of 10 consecutive ODI victories last year. Pietersen’s ODI record has included some significant troughs – he scored just one 50 in 24 innings between 2009 and 2011, for example – and, after his return from ODI retirement, England lost the next series he participated in, after Christmas in India. It is quite true that England can still win the Champions Trophy without him.But it will be much harder. It was, after all, Pietersen who took the Man of the Tournament award when England clinched the only global trophy they have yet won – the World T20 in 2010 – and Pietersen who has more ODI centuries (nine) and more ODI runs (4,351) than any current England player. On the biggest stage, there is no England player more likely to revel in the spotlight, no England player more feared by the opposition and no England player as capable of changing the course of a game. His absence is a crushing blow to what had been presumed to be England’s best chance to win a global ODI tournament.It is not just about the runs, though. Pietersen’s absence is a major blow to the balance of the England side. While the top three of Ian Bell, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott provide excellent stability and reassurance, their role is best complemented by Pietersen’s aggression at No. 4. Pietersen’s absence leaves a heavy burden on the shoulders of Eoin Morgan, in particular, and to a lesser extent Jos Buttler.There are several candidates vying for Pietersen’s place. Joe Root has shown a welcome ability to adapt his game to the match situation in his brief England career to date and is probably best placed at present, but Jonny Bairstow is among those who may also have a chance. It was Root who batted at No. 4 in the ODI series against New Zealand, when Pietersen was rested.There is better news of England’s other injury worries. Graeme Swann, almost as important a player as Pietersen in the England team, has returned to bowling in the nets and hopes to play for Nottinghamshire next week, while Tim Bresnan made an impressive return for Yorkshire in the Championship on Wednesday. The return of both players will be a relief to Ashley Giles, England’s limited-overs coach, though it will not compensate for the loss of Pietersen.To compound matters, the Champions Trophy represents a glorious opportunity for England. It is not just that they have, after many years, found a method to flourish in ODIs, it is that rule changes, such as the use of a new ball from either end, and the advantage of home conditions – playing in England and Wales in June ought to play into their hands – should also have conspired to help them. The next World Cup in England does not come until 2019.At present, it is anticipated that Pietersen will resume training in mid-June. That leaves him little opportunity to play first-class cricket before the start of the Ashes on July 10 as the English domestic season will soon thereafter be dominated by T20 cricket.So it may be that Pietersen’s return comes against Australia. Somerset have a first-class match against the tourists starting on June 26 and, just as Andrew Strauss was drafted into the Somerset side when he required match practice ahead of the series against India, so could Pietersen be. His other options would appear to be a Championship game for Surrey against Yorkshire (starting on June 21, perhaps too early after his return to training) and a warm-up game for England against Essex starting on June 30. Pietersen, it should be noted, came so close to joining Somerset ahead of the 2005 season, he drove around in one of their sponsored cars for much of the winter. He ultimately joined Hampshire.Either way, with Ashes fever apparently as prevalent and contagious as the recent measles outbreak, updates on Pietersen’s knee may dominate the media as news of Denis Compton’s did more than half-a-century ago and news of David Beckham’s second metatarsal did ahead of the 2002 football World Cup.

Beuran Hendricks and Heinrich Klaasen have been dropped from the 16-man list

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Mar-2022Janneman Malan and Keegan Petersen are the new faces in CSA’s list of contracted men’s players for the 2022-23 season. The two from last year’s list to miss out are left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks and wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen.Malan and Petersen have been rewarded for making excellent starts to their South Africa careers in white- and red-ball cricket respectively. Malan has been outstanding at the top of the order in ODIs since his debut in February 2019, scoring 759 runs in 13 innings at an average of 69.00, with three hundreds and a best of 177 not out against Ireland. Those run-scoring feats also won him the ICC’s award for Emergin Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2021.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Petersen, meanwhile, was Player of the Series in South Africa’s 2-1 comeback win over India at home earlier this year, contributing 276 runs at 46.00 and scoring three fifties in six innings in consistently difficult batting conditions. In the process, he caught the eye of numerous observers including AB de Villiers, who took to Twitter to enthuse about the “composure, skill and technique” Petersen had shown “against one of the best attacks in the world.”In five Tests so far, Petersen has scored 320 runs at an average of 35.55.”It has been an exceptional season for the white-ball team that has not lost a series under the leadership of Temba Bavuma,” CSA’s newly appointed CEO Pholetsi Moseki said. “One of the biggest upcoming highlights for us is the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia and we are looking forward to supporting Temba and his men as they look to make history later this year.”The Test team has grown and shown significant improvement under the strong leadership of Dean Elgar. This season will see the Proteas play even more Test cricket, which is vital for the growth of the players, the format in our country, as well as the accumulation of points towards the ICC World Test Championship.”We at CSA are big advocates of rewarding excellence and I am pleased to be the first to congratulate Janneman Malan and Keegan Petersen on their newly awarded contracts.”The contracts for South Africa’s women’s players will be announced after the conclusion of the ongoing ODI World Cup in New Zealand.

Chelsea have reached an agreement to let a £98 million player go, alongside their widely reported deal to sell Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid, but there is one key issue holding up the move.

Chelsea agree £34 million deal with Atletico to sell Gallagher

A multitude of reliable media outlets, including renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, have claimed that Chelsea are ready to sell Gallagher to Atletico for around £34 million after shaking hands with the La Liga side.

Chelsea now handed Osimhen discount in talks over Lukaku swap deal

The west Londoners have learned a new price tag.

By
Emilio Galantini

Aug 1, 2024

This comes after Diego Simeone's men opened discussions over the 24-year-old very recently. Atletico started talks to sign Gallagher from Chelsea last week, according to some reports, and it has not taken long for the Spaniards to find the middle ground in a potential deal.

The England star, who enjoyed a fine 2023/2024 campaign under Mauricio Pochettino, becoming a mainstay player and one of their most important squad members, was rewarded for his excellent form with a call-up to Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad for Euro 2024.

Gallagher started 37 Premier League games last season, scoring five goals and assisting his teammates on seven other occasions, but his contract expires next year and Todd Boehly risks losing the dynamic midfielder for nothing in 2025.

The Cobham academy graduate's sale would count as pure profit when it comes to Profit and Sustainability rules as well, meaning Chelsea chiefs are faced with making the unpopular decision to sell Gallagher this summer while they still can.

The Stamford Bridge side have attempted to tie the former Crystal Palace loanee down with a new two-year contract, which included the option of a third year, and would've put him in line with Chelsea's top earners in midfield.

However, Gallagher snubbed this proposal, and it is believed both Chelsea and Atletico are waiting on his final decision after both clubs found an agreement on his £34 million transfer fee.

"Understand Conor Gallagher turned down a new three year (2+1) contract extension at Chelsea today as well as in early June," wrote journalist Ben Jacobs on X earlier this week.

"Wages offered comparable to the highest earners in Chelsea's midfield. As reported, Chelsea have agreed a package with Atletico Madrid in excess of €40m including add-ons and will support a move to Spain if that's Gallagher's preference.

"No terms agreed yet. Aston Villa also had a club-record bid accepted for Gallagher in June but he decided to stay. Chelsea would prefer to sell Gallagher abroad than to a Premier League rival and the Atletico offer accepted is well below the one made by Villa."

As Chelsea wait on Gallagher, it is now believed they've agreed to sell another player to Aston Villa in a surprise development.

Chelsea agree to sell Lukaku to Aston Villa, but key issue stalls deal

Wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku is the subject of serious interest from Napoli, as the Serie A side speak with Chelsea over a deal for him with Victor Osimhen heading the other way (David Ornstein).

However, this hasn't stopped Villa from attempting to hijack Antonio Conte's move. According to Italian newspaper Il Mattino, via TUTTOmercatoWEB, Villa reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Lukaku this week, but there's a key issue, as the Belgian only wants to reunite with Conte in Naples.

Chelsea want the 31-year-old, who cost £98 million to re-sign from Inter Milan in 2021, to accept a move to the Midlands – but Lukaku has set his sights on a return to the Italian top flight instead.

Called a "complete" striker by Leonardo Bonucci, Lukaku's best goalscoring seasons have come during his stints in Serie A. He even guided Inter to a Scudetto triumph during the 2020/2021 season under Conte, scoring 24 and bagging a further 11 assists in the league alone.

Newcastle United have agreed a deal to sign a "serious player" in a deal worth up to £15m, according to an update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies continue to be linked to sign new players left, right and centre, with Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin being eyed up for a summer move to St James' Park. The Englishman could feel that now is the right time to leave the Blues, linking up with former teammate Anthony Gordon again in the process.

It looks as though Callum Wilson could leave Newcastle before the window reaches its conclusion and Boulaye Dia has been mooted as a potential replacement for the veteran attacker. He has scored six goals in 28 caps for Senegal and could move away from Salernitana after their relegation from Serie A last season.

The Magpies are also reportedly ready to make a club-record move for Real Madrid teenager Arda Guler, who is arguably seen as one of Europe's most exciting young players currently. The reigning Champions League winners may not entertain the idea of selling the 19-year-old, but if Eddie Howe gets his man, it could be an incredible coup.

At the back, additions are still needed as soon as possible, with the likes of Malick Thiaw and Trevoh Chalobah both seen as possible options at the heart of the defence. Both have impressed for AC Milan and Chelsea and would add the depth that Howe craves in a vital area of the pitch.

Newcastle close to signing "serious player"

Taking to X, Romano revealed that Newcastle are now close to signing William Osula from Sheffield United, with a deal worth up to £15m believed to have been agreed:

At just 20, Osula may not be arriving at Newcastle expecting to be a key starter from the off, but this is still an exciting update, given the long-term potential that the Blades ace possesses.

The young attacker has already racked up six appearances for Denmark's Under-21s, scoring once in that time, and he has 21 outings to his name in the Premier League, showing that he has picked up some invaluable experience in the competition. He has also been described as a "serious player" by ITV Football in the past, while Pano Scout on X have hailed his "off the ball actions" and "understanding of the game", suggesting he is mature beyond his years.

Newcastle could forget all about Calvert-Lewin with move for £17m “beast”

He’s increasingly likely to join the Prem this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 2, 2024

The hope could be that Osula, who shares the same agency as Nick Pope, can come in as a squad player and improve under Howe, who may feel that he can coach him into a more polished footballer over time, eventually turning him into a key part of the attack.

Rashid Khan cameo at the end helps Gujarat Titans seal victory despite their having been 16 for 3 and 87 for 5

Sidharth Monga17-Apr-20222:47

Was this Miller’s best IPL innings?

David Miller played possibly his best IPL innings, 94 off 51, to help Gujarat Titans chase down Chennai Super Kings’ 170 from 16 for 3 and 87 for 5. For the first 17 overs, it was Miller or bust with just 43 non-Miller runs in 59 legal deliveries. They needed 48 now, and were 4.2% favourites to win. That’s when Rashid Khan, captaining in the absence of Hardik Pandya, lent Miller a hand in sensational fashion, hitting Chris Jordan for 6, 6, 4 and 6 to turn it into a routine affair for Titans.Dwayne Bravo, though, was to CSK’s second half what Miller was to Titans’ first half: he bowled four overs on the trot starting with the 13th for 23 runs and three wickets, but the other end leaked 60 off 23 balls without taking a single wicket. Bravo finished his spell with two strikes in two balls. One of them was Rashid, which left Titans needing 13 off the last over. Miller only had the bowlers for company now but it didn’t matter because Jordan kept missing his yorker, and even bowled a high full toss to let Titans get home with one ball to spare.CSK will be gutted that they slipped up in the final overs of both innings. After Ruturaj Gaikwad returned to form with a fifty and Ambati Rayudu’s intent promised another big finishing kick, their last six overs produced just 45, the third-lowest for a side batting first this season. That after the preceding four had gone for 58. It was Alzarri Joseph, who dragged CSK back with the wicket of Rayudu after which their deep attack turned the screws.Gaikwad and Rayudu set up for a big finishTitans managed to get the most explosive powerplay batter of this season, Robin Uthappa, early in the innings after his highest IPL score, and Moeen Ali’s middling IPL continued to leave the score at 32 for 2 in the sixth over. However, Gaikwad, just 35 in five matches before this, and Rayudu rebuilt the innings looking for a classic CSK acceleration in the back 10.David Miller produced a match-winning, unbeaten 94•BCCI

Gaikwad and Rayudu take down the best of themAware of the CSK threat in the last 10 overs, Titans brought back the best of their bowlers immediately to try to take a wicket. An all-out assault awaited them. Gaikwad welcomed Joseph back with a pulled six before Rayudu charged down at him and lofted him over long-off. Lockie Ferguson went for a six and a four. Rayudu hit Rashid himself for a six. At 124 for 2 in 14, CSK looked primed.Joseph starts comeback, others followPlaying his first match this IPL, Joseph made a superb comeback in the 15th over. He kept bowling wide outside off to make Rayudu hit to the bigger boundary. Two plays and misses later, Rayudu somehow caught up with the third, but went only as far as deep point. Mohammed Shami came back with only four off the 16th, ending with figures of 4-0-20-1. Yash Dayal took Gaikwad out with a low full toss for 73 off 48. Twenty-five balls went without a boundary as Shivam Dube struggled with the slowness of the pitch.Rashid, who had perhaps kept himself back for MS Dhoni, conceded no boundary in the 19th. It was only Ravindra Jadeja using the short leg side boundary against Ferguson in the last over, taking 18 off it, that gave CSK a competitive total.Theekshana strikes earlyWith Pandya, their best batter so far, not playing Titans must have looked to Shubman Gill for a major contribution, but he unfortunately cut the first ball he faced – short, wide, asking to be hit – straight to cover-point. Maheesh Theekshana, fresh off a four-four in the last match, turned the screw with the wickets of Vijay Shankar and Abhinav Manohar in the powerplay. Wriddhiman Saha scored a forgettable 11 off 18 to make it 48 for 4 after eight overs.Dwayne Bravo was so good for the Super Kings, but he did not have any support•BCCI

Miller timeMiller, though, looked like he was playing on a different pitch to the one where almost everyone had struggled for timing in the last 12 overs. With Moeen Ali getting grip and turn away from the bat, Miller still managed to hit a straight four and a six in the ninth and 11th overs. In the 12th he opened up properly, taking down Jadeja, who turned the ball into him, hitting him for two sixes and a four. Out of 87 for 4 in 12 overs, Miller had scored 52 off just 29 balls.Bravo intervenesAt a time when Miller might have looked for some support from the other end, Bravo started his evening with a wicket-maiden. The slower ball dipped and gripped for him, and accounted for Rahul Tewatia.Miller, though, kept going to make up for a slow start from Rashid. These next three overs were crucial as runs could have come only from Miller’s end because Rashid knew there wasn’t much batting behind him. Runs did come, and in style. Even Bravo and Theekshana went for sixes, making it 52 off the last four overs. However, Bravo again struck back with a boundary-less 17th to leave Titans a one-in-25 chance of winning.Rashid’s whippageWith a short leg-side boundary in play, Rashid unfurled those wrists against Jordan, the most profligate death-overs bowler in IPL chases, in the 18th over. The helicopter sent the first half-volley flying over midwicket. Jordan went wide second ball, but Rashid played a sensational slice over point for a six over the longer boundary. Jordan missed the yorker twice again and went for four and six. By the end of the over, Titans were 56% favourites to win.Bravo brought CSK back with another slower one to get rid of Rashid. At 13 off seven, Joseph had a free hit to try to get a boundary but he found long-off. He still left Miller on strike for the start of the last over.Jordan again kept missing his yorker, and when he bowled the high full toss with seven required off three, it was practically game over. The 38 he conceded off 11 legal balls was only behind Thisara Perera’s 41 in nine balls for runs conceded at the death in an IPL chase.

Liverpool are among a "host of clubs" interested in signing an exciting young midfielder in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds have had a frustratingly quiet summer in the transfer market, with not a single player added to Arne Slot's squad, much to the chagrin of many supporters. It looked as though Martin Zubimendi was going to come in as a superb midfield addition, but he has ended up committing his future to Real Sociedad, acting as a big disappointment at Anfield.

Time is now running out for Liverpool to make signings this summer, but they are at least still being backed to make some important additions to the squad. Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is one such figure, potentially being seen as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson.

Meanwhile, the Reds are reportedly among the clubs who have been offered legendary Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, but given his age and the type of player Slot likes, in terms of an ability to press and cover ground, it would be a huge surprise if he sealed a move to Anfield.

Liverpool also appear to be pushing hard for the signing of Valencia and Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who could be seen as the heir to Alisson between the sticks. The 23-year-old may be loaned out immediately, in order to be a regular elsewhere, before eventually coming in as first-choice.

Liverpool in the race to sign midfielder

Writing on X, Bailey claimed that Liverpool are in the mix to sign young Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl this summer, but are far from alone in tracking him.

In Bailey's report for HITC, he goes on to say that the 18-year-old's 6 foot 4 frame "makes him stand-out as he features in central midfield but can also play a holding role", adding that Liverpool "have been aware of Hjerto-Dahl for more than 12-months". The likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham, Everton, Fulham, Sheffield United and Coventry City are "all watching him".

Even the most knowledgeable Reds supporter could be forgiven for not having heard of the teenage midfielder, but it is always encouraging to see highly-rated young players linked with moves to Anfield. Hjerto-Dahl has already won 17 caps for Norway across four different youth age groups, suggesting that he has been a prominent international performer throughout his fledgling career to date.

Not only that, but he now already has 44 appearances to his name for Tromso, despite his tender years, scoring eight goals and registering two assists in the process. To have made such an impact already says so much about his maturity and ability, and Slot could view him as one for the future if Liverpool get a deal over the line.

Liverpool can repeat Jota masterclass by signing "one of the best PL players"

A correspondent has confirmed the Reds’ interest this summer…

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 15, 2024

The Mets have agreed to a blockbuster trade with the Rangers that will send second baseman Marcus Semien to New York in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

It’s a big trade involving a pair of standout players. Semien had a .669 OPS in 2025, along with a 3.3 bWAR. He launched 15 home runs and 62 RBIs while stealing 11 bases. A Gold Glove winner in 2025, Semien is one of the best defensive middle infielders in baseball, and he can provide tremendous value in that regard for the Mets.

As for Nimmo, 32, he slashed .262/.324/.436 with 25 home runs, 92 RBIs, 13 steals and a 2.9 bWAR. He signed a long-term extension with the Mets in 2022––an eight-year deal worth $162 million. Nimmo was one of the longest-tenured players in franchise history and had become a fan-favorite throughout his decade with the organization. He was also one of just 11 players ever to appear in more than 1,000 games for the team.

Semien is under contract for three more years, collecting $26 million in 2026 and ‘27, and $20 million in ‘28, after which he’s due to hit unrestricted free agency. Nimmo, on the other hand, is locked down through the 2030 season and will make an average of $20.5 million per season.

Both the Mets and Rangers were among the biggest spenders in terms of payroll in 2025, each ranking inside the top seven. Despite that, they both underperformed and missed the postseason. They’ll both be hoping the offseason trade can improve their chances of reaching the playoffs in ‘26.

Ruben Amorim fired a warning to Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United star came out in public with his desire to leave the club.

Article continues below

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• Rashford prepared for a fresh challenge
• Amorim has not taken the comments lightly
• Manager sends warning to English international

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rashford, who joined United’s youth system at the tender age of seven, has admitted it may be time to move on from the club after he was left out of the squad for United’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the derby. The timing of the statement was unexpected, as United officials reportedly had little idea that the academy graduate desires “new steps” in his career and is contemplating a future away from Old Trafford.

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  WHAT AMORIM SAID

  Amorim faced an intense media grilling on Wednesday during a press conference ahead of United’s League Cup quarter-final clash against Tottenham. The manager addressed 16 questions about Rashford’s future and in his responses, he made it clear that the comments were not well received.

  "If this was me, probably I would speak with the manager," Amorim told reporters. "But guys, let’s focus on Tottenham!"

  The former Sporting manager also clarified that his comment on focussing on every detail was misinterpreted by the media.

  "What I expect is every day all the players doing the training and outside the training, the engagement with the players," he said.

  "I talk about the way they dress, I was just making a point. I don’t know how they dress, I just see them in the kit. I don’t know how they eat, I’m not looking at their plates, it was just to make a point.

  "I don’t care how my players dress, it was to make a focus on the detail. I expect the best of each one of them to prepare the game. If that’s what we’re doing to try to demonstrate to the players, the rest we will have time to address and my focus is on the game and get the best out of Marcus."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Amorim admitted that managing the fallout from Rashford’s comments has been challenging. He was yet to sit down with the forward after his controversial comments as Rashford did not train Monday due to illness and Tuesday was day off for the players.

  "It’s hard to explain to you guys what I am going to do. I’m a little bit emotional so in the moment I will decide what to do," Amorim said. "My focus now is on the players, they still need to arrive at Carrington so I need to prepare the game and then we will see. Let’s focus on the team not individual players. That’s it.

  "It’s a hard situation to comment. If I give a lot of importance it will have big headlines in the papers and if I say it’s not a problem then my standards are getting low! So I will deal with that, I understand that. My focus is to not take the attention away from the game and the team and what we did in the last game. What I’m saying is that the team is more important than the individual, we will assess it at the right time, that’s all."

  Despite the situation, Amorim reiterated his belief in Rashford’s potential, stating, “Nothing has changed, we believe in Marcus. Marcus is a player of Manchester United so there’s no change."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While Rashford’s absence continues to raise eyebrows, Alejandro Garnacho has rejoined the squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham. The young Argentinian travelled with the team to London, signalling a potential role in Thursday’s quarter-final. Rashford, on the other hand, was notably absent from the squad, further fuelling speculation about his immediate future.

With the 2026 World Cup less than a year away, GOAL looks at the state of the central defenders vying for spots next summer

For most of this World Cup cycle – and going back to the 2022 cycle, in truth – centerback has been a question mark for the U.S. men's national team. For years, the program has waited for a new generation to rise. That process has finally started, at least at the very top of the roster.

Chris Richards is the USMNT's top centerback. If that was in doubt, it isn't after the Gold Cup. After winning the FA Cup with Crystal Palace, Richards grew ito a leader this summer, shedding his "Centerback of the Future" label to become the "Centerback of the Here and Now." That is a huge win for Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT, who have a leader at the back that has shown he can compete at the highest levels.

The thing about this position, though, is that you need at least two of them. Richards is a building block, but he needs a partner next to him to create the foundation upon which the USMNT is created. There are contenders, both inexperienced and veteran, and the push to be CB2 is one that will go down to the wire. And it's vital to find the answer, as Pochettino looks to construct the spine of his team for a World Cup.

Post-Gold Cup, GOAL is looking at the state of the USMNT, analyzing the positional battles that will ultimately define next summer's team. Next up: centerbacks.

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  The Starters: Chris Richards, Tim Ream

  One of these is written in Sharpie, other in pencil.

  Richards is the former, the player who has locked down a spot. There are few in the USMNT pool safer than Richards at the moment, and none of them are his fellow centerbacks. At the Gold Cup, in particular, he raised his game to a new level and established a leadership role. The question is no longer if Richards is the starter – it's if he's the captain of this team.

  Tim Ream, meanwhile, was his partner all summer long, proving for the millionth time that age is just a number. The age will catch up to him eventually but so far, it hasn't – and Pochettino doesn't seem to think it will before the World Cup kicks off. If Pochettino was ultimately concerned about preparing a new centerback, he surely would have done so this summer. Instead, he rolled with Ream, indicating that he sees the Charlotte FC defender as Richards' most likely partner.

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  The Backups: Mark McKenzie, Walker Zimmerman

  Mark McKenzie is one of the more interesting players in the pool. Many expected he'd be partnering Richards this summer, if only just to see what he would look like with an extended runout. It didn't happen. After a tough game against Switzerland, he was largely unused, as Pochettino preferred Ream throughout the Gold Cup.

  McKenzie has had hiccups with the USMNT, of course, but he's also never quite had a true chance to prove himself. The fact that it didn't come this summer will certainly be disappointing, even if he seems to be the clear No. 3 centerback.

  As for Walker Zimmerman, he's something of a specialist, one who fits well within a 26-player roster. He's a great locker room guy and a great leader, one who has the respect of the younger generation due to his time with many of them at the Olympics.

  Additionally, he's embraced his role as a potential "closer." Much like a relief pitcher in baseball, Zimmerman has proven to be a player who can help see a game out, something that is even more important in tournament play. Because of that, and his performances in MLS, he seems to have a place.

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  In The Mix: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Miles Robinson

  Miles Robinson was the only one of this trio in USMNT camp this summer, but don't write off the Celtic duo just yet. Both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty play at a high level with the Scottish giants, including games in the Champions League.

  Just as importantly, they play together, which means they have natural chemistry and a natural baseline to compare them. Their chemistry won't make much of a difference this cycle, given Richards' ascendency into that top spot. Because of that, both will now be among those vying to partner him while collectively pushing things with Celtic.

  As for Robinson, his goal is to continue to deliver for FC Cincinnati. He's an MLS All-Star this season and a perennial best XI contender. Still, his ceiling seem to be somewhat limited, spending his prime in MLS.

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  For The Future: Noahkai Banks, Josh Wynder, Jalen Neal

  There are some good, young centerbacks on the horizon, even if we haven't seen them much with the USMNT. Noahkai Banks has played for the U.S. up to the U20 level and, even after a small breakthrough with Augsburg in the Bundesliga this season, seems committed to the program.

  Despite the dual-national panic around him, Banks, just 18, is still a very raw prospect, one looking to continue blossoming for club and, at some point soon, country.

  Josh Wynder, meanwhile, looks close to a breakthrough at Benfica as he inches closer to the first team. Few clubs in the world are better at developing talent than the Portuguese side, who invested in Wynder early after he emerged at Louisville City in the USL. He's been at Benfica for two years but is still just 20, a virtual toddler in centerback years.

  As for Jalen Neal, he does have USMNT caps under his belt, having appeared six times in 2023. He hasn't featured since, though, and was traded to CF Montreal this offseason, allowing him to lock down a starting role with his new club.

Australia, who have dominated Sri Lanka completely both home and away in the last decade, start clear favourites in the Test series beginning in Hobart

Madhusudhan Ramakrishnan13-Dec-2012Such has been Australia’s record in head-to-head contests that it is virtually impossible to expect Sri Lanka to pose a serious challenge in the three-Test series beginning in Hobart. Although Sri Lanka lost both Tests on their last tour of Australia in 2007-08, they put up a serious fight in the second Test before going down by 96 runs. Australia have been the only team to regularly win in Sri Lanka too – in their last two series in Sri Lanka, Australia won 3-0 and 1-0. Following the retirement of top players, Australia have had to work much harder for their success but are still a force to reckon with at home, Since 2007, they have lost three home series (twice to South Africa and once against England) but have a 11-1 record at home against major subcontinent teams (excludes Bangladesh).Sri Lanka have struggled both home and away in the last two years following Muttiah Muralitharan’s exit. Since 2010, Sri Lanka have lost one and drawn four home series with their only triumph coming against Pakistan earlier this year. Sri Lanka, who are yet to win a single Test in two countries (Australia and India), will draw confidence from their performance in last year’s Boxing Day Test in Durban when they went on to register their first win in South Africa.In the SSC Test in 1992, Australia completed a remarkable turnaround after conceding a 291-run lead in the first innings. Ever since that win, Australia have gone on to lose only a single Test in Sri Lanka (in 1999). The matches played in Australia have virtually been a no-contest. Sri Lanka have managed to draw only one Test (Cairns in 2004) and have gone on to lose six. While most non subcontinent teams have had problems dealing with the conditions in Sri Lanka, Australia have had no such issues. In their last two series in Sri Lanka (2004 and 2011), Australia have gone on to win four Tests and draw two. Perhaps, Australia’s most remarkable achievement came in the 2004 series when they won each of the three Tests despite conceding the lead on all occasions. Their win-loss ratio of 11.00 (Tests since 1990) against Sri Lanka is the best among all head-to-head contests (excluding Bangladesh games).

In the 2004 series, which was dominated by Shane Warne’s successful return to cricket following his ban, Australia conceded leads of 161 and 91 runs in the first two Tests in Galle and Kandy but managed to turn the matches around with impressive batting displays in the second innings. Sri Lanka, who lost the series 3-0, averaged 28.75 while the visitors averaged 35.68. The average difference (difference between batting averages of Australia and Sri Lanka) was higher in the subsequent series in Australia. In the 2004 series in Australia, the hosts dominated the contests and scored four more centuries than Sri Lanka. However, the average difference (89.28) was the highest by far in the 2007 series in Australia which the hosts won 2-0. Apart from Kumar Sangakkara, who played an outstanding innings of 192 in Hobart, no other Sri Lankan batsman looked comfortable in the conditions in Australia. The 2011 series in Sri Lanka was also dominated by Australia, who won 1-0. The visitors won a low-scoring first Test in Galle by 125 runs and dominated the drawn second Test in Pallekele where Michael Hussey and Shaun Marsh scored centuries. Not only did Australia score more centuries in the 2011 series, they also ended with a much higher batting average than the hosts (average difference 7.23).

Hussey was outstanding in the last series played between the two teams in 2011 scoring 95 in the first Test and centuries in the second and third Tests. He has been virtually untroubled by both Sri Lankan pace bowlers and spinners averaging 121 and 99.75 against them respectively while scoring at a fair clip. Michael Clarke, who became the first player to score four double-centuries in a calendar year, averages 62.33 and 81 against the fast bowlers and spinners. Phillip Hughes, who is likely to play at No.3 following Ricky Ponting’s retirement, has been comfortable against pace (average 57.00) but has struggled against spinners (average 29.33 with three dismissals).Sangakkara, the top run-getter in Sri Lanka’s previous series in Australia, has an average of 45 against both fast bowlers and spinners. However, he has managed a much higher scoring rate (3.89) against the slower bowlers and has been dismissed four fewer times. Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka’s captain, has found the going tough against Australian pace bowlers falling 14 times (average 24.71). In contrast, he has looked very comfortable against spinners averaging 102 (three dismissals). Tillakaratne Dilshan, who averages just 29.28 in eight Tests against Australia, has fallen nine times to fast bowlers (average 26.44) and five times to spinners (31.00).

Australia shockingly lost the Hobart Test against New Zealand on a surface designed to suit the pace bowlers. The batting average in Hobart is highest in the first innings(41.21) but falls to 27.22 in the second innings. The corresponding numbers in the third and fourth innings are 36.62 and 29.90. In Melbourne, the averages in each of the four innings are below 35 with the lowest coming in the fourth innings (23.75). Sydney, the venue for the third Test, has been an excellent batting wicket in the second innings (average 48.25). However, the average falls to 33.57 and 26.88 in the third and fourth innings. Spinners have been quite effective in Hobart picking up 34 wickets (average 36.26) while pace bowlers have picked up 90 wickets at 33.00. While fast bowlers have completely dominated the stats at the MCG picking up 177 wickets at 27.74, spinners have managed just 50 wickets at 41.44. Spinners have picked up a significant percentage of the wickets in Sydney but have a higher average (39.12) as compared to the pace bowlers (34.77).