Will it be another Adelaide waking nightmare? Crushed 4-1 beneath the wheel? Or the full Bazball comeback? You decide!

Andrew Miller28-Nov-20251. How do you come back from that?To start you on your journey: which infamous precursor does this contest most remind you of? Choose your path from the three options below, and may your instincts serve you well:A. Lord’s 2005 – A feisty opening gambit, in which England’s seriously quick battery of fast bowlers rattled helmets and elbows to lay down a very telling marker for future engagements, only for Australia’s quality and knowhow to muscle them off the ball. By the end of the contest, it looked like a deeply one-sided rout, but the respect in the voices of the victors told a different story.B. Brisbane 1990 – Graham Gooch’s men arrived with confidence after a strong year, including an incredible Test win over West Indies in Jamaica. By tea on the second day of the Ashes, England had seized a priceless 42-run lead in a low-scoring dogfight. But then the old-stager Terry Alderman stepped up with a career-best six-for, and Australia’s openers romped to victory without breaking sweat.C. Adelaide 2006 – It’s not the series opener, but it’s the nerve-settler that England need after their habitual loss at the Gabba. Paul Collingwood makes a double-century, Kevin Pietersen has Shane Warne mastered, Matthew Hoggard’s seven-for secures a first-innings lead that has clearly made the game safe. But then, up pops Warne to deliver a generational flaying… and the rest is gory history.[If the anchor links in this story (like the three immediately below) do not work at first click on desktop web, please go back to them and click again]
Brisbane 1990: Go to 3
Adelaide 2006: Go to 20

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England expects: but Lord’s 2005 didn’t go the way of the hosts•Hamish Blair/Getty Images2: Spirit of Lord’s 2005England go to ground for ten days post-debacle, just as Michael Vaughan’s men did in similar circumstances two long decades before. Back then, Andrew Flintoff went off to Devon and didn’t pick up a bat; this time Mark Wood chooses to drive straight across the Nullabor Plain and make his own winding way to Brisbane.England arrive at the Gabba refreshed in body and mind, ignorant of all the chaos that has been kicking off in the media and ready to double down on the see-ball-hit-ball ethos that has powered their fortunes.Pat Cummins is passed fit for Brisbane and takes over the captaincy from Steven Smith, but Mitchell Starc treads on a stray cricket ball and rolls his ankle before play. He is out of the Test! Australia nevertheless win the toss, and with memories of Ricky Ponting’s fateful attack of hubris at Edgbaston in 2005, Cummins decides to:

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3: Brisbane 1990 revisitedEngland’s bewilderment is off the charts as they sift through the wreckage of that first Test loss. Ben Stokes, channelling the hair-shirted attitude of his England predecessor, Gooch, decides that the “has-beens” were right all along, and orders an intensive bout of naughty-boy nets over the remaining three days of the Test, followed by a squad stopover in Canberra, where nine of the 11 players – including all the batters – take part in the pink-ball practice match against Australia A. Jofra Archer and Shoaib Bashir use their downtime to buzz Manuka Oval in a monster truck and are suspended from the rest of the tour.Zak Crawley, Joe Root and Harry Brook are blitzed inside a session by Jordan Buckingham and Xavier Bartlett, but Ollie Pope and Jacob Bethell save some face with a pair of half-centuries in an innings defeat. The squad limps onto the Gabba, broken, scarred and none the wiser for the sorry experience.

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Let’s go, Tresco: England racked them up on day one at Edgbaston in 2005•Hamish Blair/Getty Images4: Australia win toss and batEngland’s rested and chastised pack of fast bowlers cannot believe their luck as they are handed the chance to reset their agenda, and seize it in no uncertain terms. Archer purrs in for the opening over, dispatching Jake Weatherald and Travis Head in a furious reassertion of his prowess against left-handers, before Wood – smarting from his wicketless stint in Perth but all the more lethal for an extra two weeks’ conditioning – does likewise to Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.Australia are poleaxed for 98 inside three hours, giving England ample time to build a lead before twilight. Crawley belts his first ball on the up through the covers for four, before nicking off for 20 off nine balls. Brendon McCullum singles him out for agenda-setting praise after England level the series on the third morning.

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5: Australia win toss and bowlCummins is in no doubt about this one. Make England face their demons from the get-go, even without the man who claimed 10 for 113 in the first Test. Crawley and Duckett, however, are high on Bazball’s fumes and they emulate Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss’ opening stand of 112 in 25.3 overs at Edgbaston in 2005.True to form, England opt to go harder and harder rather than throttling back at any stage, but there is method to their mayhem as they skid to a standstill on 407 all out in 79.2 overs. That leaves just under an hour for Archer, Gus Atkinson, Wood and Brydon Carse to give it full beans in the Gabba twilight. Australia limp to the close on 30 for 4, with helmets, elbows and pads taking an utter pummelling. This time, there’s no let-up in intensity, as the series is squared in style.

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Mitchell Starc: pink-ball monster•Getty Images6: England opt for pink-ball practiceEngland duly rock up for the second Test with techniques honed but gameplans shot. Pope’s century is the bedrock of their first-innings 352, while Root briefly threatens that elusive hundred before snicking off for 79, but the rest of the batting is neither here nor there. England bowl heroically in reply, in particular the indefatigable Atkinson, who pushes through the pain barrier to snag a precious lead with figures of 39-10-82-6, but looks suspiciously hobbly by the end and will never be quite the same again.Just as they are beginning to contemplate a squared series, however, Starc marches out under the floodlights on the second evening and needs no time to remind the universe of his unmatched prowess with the pink ball. Match figures of 13 for 148 ensue. This disastrous tour is already heading for uncharted depths.

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7: England arrive in Adelaide, back in business at 1-1Australia need to reassert themselves after a muddled display in Brisbane, and sure enough, Smith is the man to do so. He dominates the first day with his 37th Test century, his 19th in Australia and his 13th in the Ashes, but despite a hefty 412 on the board by the second afternoon, England are not fazed by the run rate of just above 3.5. Crawley and Duckett blaze a trail in reply, and at the close, England are handily placed at 150 for 2 off 28 overs, with Joe Root well set on 24 not out.There’s a little devil on his shoulder as Root and Pope walk out to face Cummins’ first ball on the third morning, however. He’s in no doubt that his quarry is planning to hit his length outside off, and there’s a tasty gap at deep third winking at him. To ramp, or not to ramp? That is the question …

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8: England 2-0 down, onwards to AdelaideThe media narrative has turned utterly feral. Australia’s headlines have moved on from (mostly) good-natured mockery and are now savagely angry at having to cover yet another inept challenge. England’s travelling journos are in existential meltdown, bemoaning the death of Bazball, the futility of resistance, the inevitability of mass sackings at the end of an equally inevitable 5-0 thrashing. Somewhere within the bowels of a besieged dressing room Stokes turns to address his troops once more, and urges them to seize the spirit of 2023, when England once again battled back from 0-2 down to grab the Moral Ashes with a historic 2-2 win…Which player is first to rise and respond to his captain’s words?

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Joe Root is faced with a positively Hamlet-ian choice in the course of this game•Getty Images9: Root ramps!There’s no stopping him. As Cummins hits his delivery stride, Root is already leaping into position, feet parallel as he presents his blade down the wicket… and lifts the ball gloriously, up, up and away over deep third for six! It’s a deeply discombobulating statement of intent, and it has the desired effect of thinning out Australia’s close catchers to plug this unlikely gap in the field. Root duly throttles back, nudging and dabbing the resultant singles to cruise effortlessly into his day’s work. The inevitable duly follows in the afternoon session. A maiden century in Australia, the last demon slain as he begins his final approach towards Test cricket’s runs summit. With the rest of the batters riffing off his durability, England rumble through to 582 all out, and on a wearing wicket, it’s over to Bashir to deliver the 2-1 series lead.

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10: Root does not ramp…As he crosses the rope, Root turns to Pope for reassurance. “is this the right option?” he asks, hoping to get the full Bazball backing that Stuart Broad had offered him in identical circumstances at Edgbaston two years earlier: “If it’s in your gut, you’ve got to go for it – that’s what we’re about.” Instead, Pope’s glance of mild terror causes a fateful moment of second-guessing. Cummins duly hits his fourth-stump line and length, with good carry. Root’s limp-wristed poke is neither one thing nor another, Smith guzzles the edge at second slip to scenes of Aussie bedlam. The indecision is contagious and uncontainable. Scott Boland rumbles through the middle order with 4 for 11 in six overs. It’s 2-1 to Australia and Bazball, once again, has blinked at precisely the wrong moment.

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Ben Duckett: what can a poor boy do, except step out and slash?•Getty Images11. Ashes last stand – Duckett’s versionEngland’s nonsense-spouter-in-chief is put up for the media two days out from the Test. In a freewheeling press conference, he takes overdue credit for Travis Head’s century in Perth, and when asked if there’s any doubt about England’s ability to fight back, he repeats the response made in similar circumstances after the Lord’s loss in 2023. “I’m not sure how to answer that,” he says. “I’m surprised about the question.”Having shocked the sport by leaving a handful of deliveries in the series to date, Duckett decides he’s going after anything and everything this time around. He duly snicks Starc’s second ball to gully after Stokes wins a priceless toss, and the end is swift and pitiless. Root, with a solitary fifty in six innings to date, is again blown away by the still-new Kookaburra. The Ashes are surrendered on just the eighth day of the series. A third whitewash in six tours is a mere formality.

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12. Ashes last stand – Root’s versionThe mindset-first mentality of Stokes and McCullum had been conceived out of the misery of England’s experience in the 2021-22 Ashes – as a means for the players to learn to love the game again after the strictures of Covid, and as an attempt to wean the team off its destructive over-reliance on the genuine greats in its midst.Just as the 2019 Ashes series was salvaged by the genius of Ben Stokes, so Root’s miraculous run of form in 2021 (1708 runs at 61) had been the only thing keeping the team solvent throughout their dismal run of one win in 17 Tests. But now, in a reversion to that former type, it is time for England to end the pretence that this is a team of equals.With the squad’s entire apparatus now geared towards giving their greatest player the support he needs to thrive, Root knuckles down to produce the innings of his lifetime: a gargantuan double-century, greater even than the Chennai masterclass that seized a series lead in India during his annus mirablis. For once, Australia can’t summon the requisite response, thanks in no small part to Stokes’ unyielding 13-over, three-wicket spell on the fourth afternoon. It’s 2-1 and the Ashes are alive at Christmas!

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Elton John won’t let the sun go down on England•Allsport/Getty Images13: Festive spirit at the GDeck the halls with vibes and glory. England are in pure party mode as the Boxing Day Test draws nigh, buoyed by their own Bazballing bravado and by the sudden panic in Australia’s ranks, now that the flaws in their ageing outfit are no longer being hidden by their opponents’ self-destructive streak. Gladstone Small, the hero of England’s 1986 Melbourne victory is invited to give a motivational address at the Christmas fancy-dress party, and his entire supporters’ group comes along for the ride. It just so happens that Small still has Elton John on speed dial; the subsequent impromptu gig in Stokes’ hotel room is a you-had-to-be-there moment.All is going swimmingly until Stokes pulls a cracker with Matthew Potts, and feels something go “twang” in his ribs region. Scans reveal an intercostal tear. Uh oh …

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14: England on the brink nowIs there anything left to dredge from England’s chaotic campaign? Salvation, of sorts, lies in the Plan B that has been going through its motions on the periphery of the tour. Ben McKinney has been solidly in the runs through the England Lions tour, and with Crawley now officially a busted flush, Stokes hands his young Durham team-mate a maiden Test cap shortly before the toss. Josh Tongue, Matthew Potts and another Lions call-up, Matt Fisher, shore up a bowling attack that is now creaking at the seams, and after losing the toss on a cloudy Melbourne Boxing Day, England pray that the green-tinged drop-in wicket isn’t the dud that it has sometimes proven to be…

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You know it’s a big win when the sprinkler dance makes an appearance•Getty Images15: Stokes plays through the painHe’s come this far. He’s buggered if he’s backing down now. “Pain is only an emotion,” Stokes grimaces at the toss, as he channels (once again) the spirit of Ian Botham, as well as the ghosts of his own Christmases past… the post-Bristol no-show of 2017-18, the mental and physical shortcomings of 2021-22. In he poddles off three determined paces, swinging the ball lavishly at 62mph and beating Australia for lack of pace, just as Beefy himself had done at the same venue 39 years earlier. It scarcely matters that he follows up with scores of 2 and 10, or that his subsequent absence allows Australia to swipe a consolation win in Sydney. Crawley’s century is more than sufficient to set up a series-sealing five-wicket win. A gleeful sprinkler dance ensues in front of a jubilant Barmy Army, packed into the infamous Bay 13 in a further indication of how Australia’s mighty citadel has fallen.

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16: Stokes plays it safeWith a short turnaround to the Sydney Test, Stokes opts for discretion as the better part of valour, and passes the captaincy over to Brook so that he can embark on an intense bout of rehab. It’s not the master stroke he hoped it would be. Brook and Pope, his former deputy, can’t quite remember who is meant to be in charge, and key chances go begging for want of an extra leg gully or fifth slip. The inevitable beneficiaries are Smith and Labuschagne, whose twin hundreds drain the resolve of a team that is no longer as bulletproof as it likes to make out. It’s all square going into the New Year…

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17: Can reformed England complete the comeback?The mood shift is extraordinary as the Ashes descends on Melbourne, certainly among the media and the scores of England fans who’ve flown in for the festive period. However, after taking their defeat on the chin, it is Australia who emerge the stronger – much as had been the case at Old Trafford in 2019, immediately after Stokes’ Headingley heroics. Without getting drawn into details, both sides acknowledge that the series is still alive through the gut-busting efforts of England’s greatest run-scorer, and when all is said and done, Australia still lead the Ashes head-to-head down under by 15 matches to one across the span of Root’s career.Try as Root (and Stokes) might, there’s no way this fightback can be anything other than a flash in the pan. England’s gameplan has been ransacked just to stay alive, and with injuries among their bowlers stacking up, the return of Josh Hazlewood from a hamstring strain is precisely the scale-tipper that they had hoped not to have to factor in. Despite a brace of Root fifties, Australia ease to a 123-run win late on the fourth day, and cap a 4-1 series scoreline in Sydney a week later. After such a wild campaign, it’s asking too much of a broken team to bow out with a consolation win.

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Haven’t had that spirit here since 2017: can England channel whatever inspired Alastair Cook’s unbeaten 244 eight years ago?•Getty Images18: Flat deck at the ‘GBoxing Days don’t get much more brutal. After a flying fifty from Head, Weatherald and Labuschagne bed in for a second-wicket stand of 281 that spans all three sessions and is only ended by a determined burst from Carse, armed with the new ball late in the day. Smith, Alex Carey and the recalled Mitchell Marsh flog a toiling attack deep into the second afternoon, and with 556 on the board, the Ashes are as good as over…And yet, from somewhere deep within their residual memory a battle-scarred team finds the will to throw caution to the wind one more time. McKinney is the catalyst, ten feet tall after his debut pep talk from Baz, as he and Duckett surge onto the offensive once more. Spurred on by memories of Alastair Cook’s bloodless 244 in 2017, England go harder and harder still, safe in the knowledge that not even Starc is going to find movement on this featherbed. Brook falls short of a triple-century this time, but just as in Multan 14 months earlier, England surge past 800, and at a quick enough lick for a punch-drunk Australia to collapse on the fifth and final day. It’s 2-2 heading to Sydney, and true to form, Bazball is taking the chaotic route.

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19: Spicy surface at the ‘GEngland can’t believe their luck, as their patched-up bowling attack find nibble and bounce throughout a cloudy first day. Potts is the pick, with 4 for 24, and at 117 for 6 shortly before tea, an 86,784 crowd is beginning to reconsider its options for the evening session. But Carey has other ideas. He and Cummins seize on England’s inexperience to hoist Australia to 256 before stumps. If it feels like a decisive momentum shift, that’s because it is. With five awkward overs to see out before the close, McKinney falls third ball for a duck, and after turning down a nighthawk, Pope is yorked by Starc’s final ball of the day. England’s first innings collapses to 114 all out before lunch. The Ashes are over by tea on the third day.

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The blond monster of our nightmares: the Adelaide evisceration of 2006, courtesy Shane Warne, will live forever in English memory•Getty Images20: It’s Adelaide 2006 revisitedThere’s clearly no point in even turning up any more. As the spirit of Warnie circles over the Vulture Street End, Stuart Broad launches a petition for the Ashes to be voided, henceforth and forever more. The most storied rivalry in Test cricket is quietly retired, with one final gathering at a 150th anniversary wake at the MCG in March 2027. Australia win the first, and last, Test20 international by an innings and 45 runs.

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21: Sydney deciderWhere’s your money? Clearly, it was always on a 3-2 scoreline, if the pre-series fence-sitters are anything to go by… but which side of that fence will it all fall? It all comes down to a matter of belief.After so many ups and downs, how Bazball are you still feeling, honestly? Your answer may determine the destiny of the urn.

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Will these scenes be replayed come January (or even sooner)?•Getty Images22: Bazball or bustYour journey to this point has more or less adhered to England’s basic philosophy, of running towards the danger, of blocking out the noise, of committing to the option and backing it 100%. Thus, self-evidently, it is written. With their mindsets locked in, Sydney provides the grand finale that The Oval could not two years earlier, the stage for a come-from-behind series win for the ages.After a nip-and-tuck first two sessions, Brook and Jamie Smith cut loose against the old ball to power England past 300, before Wood – busting a gut, and his knee ligaments – bowls like the wind to bow out of Test cricket with 6 for 37. Stokes shoulders the bowling burden for the second innings, as he emulates Strauss, Brearley, Illingworth, Hutton and Jardine in seizing the Ashes on Australian soil.GAME OVER: Australia 2, England 3

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23: England try to change their waysWe’ve read this script before. Safety first all round. Dig in against the new Kookaburra ball, build a platform, value your wicket, ignore the phalanx of close catchers and the dead weight of a scoreboard that hasn’t budged in an hour. It’s noble, but it’s flawed, as Australia’s now fully fit battery of all-time-great fast bowlers lock down their lines and lengths, and pick off the errors one by one. After a valiant series-long fight, England’s battle-weariness proves their undoing. It’s been their best showing in Australia for 15 years, but the wait for an Ashes series win extends into another decade.GAME OVER: Australia 3, England 2

Big picture: World Test Champions’ toughest test

The variety of conditions Test cricket offers is evident from how the format’s world champions, South Africa, have not been able to even compete in their previous seven Tests in India, the country of their next challenge. They lost six of those Tests comprehensively, and were on their way in the seventh but for the rain.Even within India, South Africa have struggled in a variety of conditions. In 2015-16, they were outdone by a young side for whom the team management considered raging turners a necessity. Then, in 2019-20, against an established home team, South Africa were blanked by huge margins on good batting surfaces that had nothing for the home spinners, who averaged 27.18 compared to their fast bowlers’ 17.50.The world champions make this trip in 2025-26 not with any significant new faces in their attack but with more experience, and thus more equipped to compete during what has to be South Africa’s toughest tour. Keshav Maharaj was their lead spinner on the previous tour too. Simon Harmer toured in 2015-16. Senuran Muthusamy played two Tests in 2019-20. Kagiso Rabada remains the banker fast bowler.Related

• In India, captain Bavuma pursues the final piece of his validation

• Are India mulling Kuldeep vs allrounder?

• Eden Gardens conditions could weaponise India, SA quicks

• South Africa return to India without fear of the Turnado

• Dhruv Jurel: too good to keep out, too good to just keep

South Africa will also hope that India, who suffered a shock loss against New Zealand last year and are still a team in transition, still haven’t nailed the method to win home Tests. They blanked West Indies earlier this season, but they weren’t entirely invulnerable.Still, South Africa will need nearly everything to go their way to win a Test on this tour, just like it did for New Zealand last year. While India are currently third on the WTC points table, having drawn 2-2 in England and beaten West Indies 2-0, South Africa have only just begun their title defence with a 1-1 draw in Pakistan last month.

Form guide

India: WWWDL
South Africa: WLWWWShubman Gill has been hopping formats frequently since September•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight: Keshav Maharaj and Shubman Gill

Keshav Maharaj comes to India with experience of 60 Tests; he’s second only to Ravindra Jadeja among left-arm spinners in Test cricket. With India unlikely to offer square turners or assistance for traditional seam bowling, Maharaj will have to bear a heavy workload, and provide wickets and control.Starting September, India’s newest all-format star Shubman Gill has had no break. He got three days, including the travel day, between the T20 Asia Cup in the UAE and the first Test against West Indies in India. Then just four days to travel to Australia and switch to ODIs before going back to playing T20Is in three days. After that, a five-day break, which included travel from eastern Australia to eastern India to captain the team in an important series. Gill is young and fit, and must be itching to play as much as he can, but keep an eye on how well he readjusts to the longest format.

Team news: Jurel and Pant both set to play

Against West Indies, India got away with playing practically a ten-man side. Given India’s need for a seam-bowling allrounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy was understandably given games to develop his skills, but he hardly had a role to play in the series. Now, with their No. 1 Test wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant fit again, India have decided to keep Dhruv Jurel in the XI as a specialist batter and release Reddy to the India A side. The rest of the team should remain unchanged.India (probable): 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 KL Rahul, 3 B Sai Sudharsan, 4 Shubman Gill (capt), 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Dhruv Jurel, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed SirajTemba Bavuma should replace Dewald Brevis in South Africa’s XI•Associated Press

South Africa should look to replicate the combination that won their previous Test, against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. The batting ability of their first-choice attack gives them depth without compromising the bowling. Marco Jansen should pip Wiaan Mulder to the XI because there’s unlikely to be assistance for traditional seam bowling. The returning captain Temba Bavuma should take Dewald Brevis’ spot.South Africa (probable): 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Tristan Stubbs, 4 Tony de Zorzi, 5 Temba Bavuma (capt), 6 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 7 Senuran Muthusamy, 8 Simon Harmer, 9 Marco Jansen, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Kagiso Rabada

Pitch and conditions

Early indications suggest a good batting track at Eden Gardens, which could possibly bring reverse swing into the picture. There will be little grass on the pitch but it is not expected to be excessively dry or cracked either. A potentially tough task awaits the side that loses the toss.

Stats and trivia

• Gill has won only one toss in seven Tests as captain. South Africa have not won the toss in their previous seven Tests in India. One of these unlucky runs will end on Friday.
• Kyle Verreynne is five short of becoming only the fifth South Africa wicketkeeper to reach 100 Test dismissals.
• Jadeja is just ten runs short of becoming only the fourth player in the world to achieve the double of 300 wickets and 4000 runs in Tests.

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that William Saliba and Leandro Trossard are major doubts for a London derby meeting with Brentford on Wednesday night. Both players missed the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the weekend. Arteta also delivered updates on Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes as they remain in the treatment room with more serious knocks.

• Summer signings set to step up again

  Saliba’s omission from the matchday squad at Stamford Bridge on Sunday raised eyebrows, but Arteta explained that the France international had suffered a knock during training on the eve of the draw with Chelsea. With centre-back partner Gabriel also sidelined, Arteta turned to an improvised pairing of summer signings Pierro Hincapie and Christhian Mosquera, who are likely to remain in the starting XI for Brentford's visit to the Emirates.

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• Getty
  

  Saliba facing 'days, not weeks' on sidelines

  After running tests on Monday, Arsenal determined that Saliba remains short of fitness and is a doubt to feature at the Emirates on Wednesday. Arteta described the injury as another puzzling episode, comparing it to the ankle problem that forced the defender to miss several matches back in August.

  "He had a little niggle, so I think it’s going to be a matter of days, so let’s see if he’s able to be there tomorrow," he said. "Well, the ankle one, it was a really random and a very unlucky action that kept him out for a few weeks. He tried at Anfield, he wasn't comfortable, and he had to stay away and this one as well, very bizarre. But hopefully it will be a matter of days."

  Trossard will also miss the midweek fixture after limping off in the Champions League win over Bayern Munich last week. Further tests conducted on Friday confirmed a minor calf problem, but Arteta also expects the Belgian winger to be available again in a few days.

  Arteta also shared a heartfelt assessment of Havertz’s ongoing recovery. The German forward, who underwent a minor knee procedure in August, has endured a stop-start calendar year marked by a hamstring injury late last season and fresh complications during pre-season.

  "We are all desperate to have him," he said. "I mean, it is a player that, personally, I love so much for what he brings to the team – his character, his personality. I see him suffer, being outside. Matter of weeks; let’s see how it evolves in the next few weeks. He’s doing really well, he’s doing stuff on the pitch, but I think he needs some time."

  Gabriel, another long-term absentee, is continuing his rehabilitation from a thigh injury. Arteta has offered encouragement, saying the Brazilian centre-half is "doing very well", though the medical team still estimates a recovery period of several weeks.

  "Big Gabi is doing very well as well, but that’s weeks as well," he said. 

• Will Rice or Timber be rotated?

  The cluster of defensive injuries has prompted questions about whether players such as Declan Rice or Jurrien Timber should be rested, given their heavy workloads in recent weeks. Arteta, however, defended his selection philosophy, saying he always prioritises fielding the strongest available side.

  "We try to manage every case, every individual in relation to how they feel in the context of the matches, adjust with the only purpose to have the best options on the best pitch and to be better than the opponent, that’s it," he said. 

  "Our motivation comes from preparation and how we prepare for every game to try to be better than the opposition. Where we are in the league and what we are doing, I don’t think we need any more motivation than that."

  Reflecting on the season’s injury turbulence, Arteta said the team has had to navigate several unexpected blows. Losing Trossard when he was hitting his stride, reintegrating [Gabriel] Martinelli gradually, and then coping with Saliba’s late withdrawal at Chelsea have forced players into unfamiliar roles.

  "Especially how we lost them [the injuries] with Leo as well, because Leo was in a great moment, and Gabi Martinelli was just coming back, and we had to manage his minutes," he said. "He wasn't able to play more than he did on Sunday. So, managing that, the fact that obviously Willy trained the day before, and then he was uncomfortable, players are not training in certain positions, having to play there. But again, the attitude towards it and the way the players are performing and giving absolutely everything they can to fulfil those absences, it's been the key part of the season because we have to deal with a lot already."

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  Gyokeres and Odegaard ready to start

  Viktor Gyokeres, who made an appearance from the bench at Chelsea after recovering from a muscle injury suffered in the 2-0 win over Burnley, is expected to be fit enough to start on Wednesday. Meanwhile, captain Martin Odegaard, who has not started a match since damaging his MCL in early October, is also ready to rejoin the starting XI after making substitute appearances against Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

The home side were on track for another victory before Sydney Sixers’ captain took three quick wickets

AAP22-Nov-2025

A bowling blitz from allrounder Ash Gardner powered Sydney Sixers to an 11-run win that snaps Hobart Hurricanes’ undefeated start to the WBBL.Her side chasing 148 for victory, Elyse Villani helped Hurricanes overcome some middle-order wobbles and take control at Bellerive Oval. The hosts required 19 runs from the last three overs with four wickets in hand.Related

Lanning century leads Stars' domination over Sixers

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Gardner had been expensive, going at 1 for 34 across her first three overs, but was thrown the ball with Saturday’s game hanging in the balance.The Sixers captain dispatched of Hayley Silver-Holmes as she attempted an audacious sweep shot before also collecting Molly Strano’s stumps as she attempted a hero shot of her own on the next delivery.Lauren Smith mistimed Gardner’s last ball of the over and picked out Sophia Dunkley at extra cover, leaving Hurricanes with only No. 11 Linsey Smith to partner Villani.When Smith skied to midwicket off Lauren Cheatle, Hurricanes were all out on 136 and left to wonder how the game had slipped so quickly out of their hands.The victory ended Hurricanes’ winning streak on five – their equal-longest in WBBL history – and helped Sixers bounce back from a disastrous 111-run loss in a rain-affected last start against Melbourne Stars.Earlier, the summer’s leading wicket-taker Heather Graham came up with WBBL career-best figures to help consign the Sixers to 147 for 9 at the close of their innings.That was no mean feat after the visitors won the toss and looked in command during a 75-run opening stand between Dunkley and Ellyse Perry.Dunkley notched her second half-century of the summer after surviving a scare on 7, the third umpire ruling her bat came down in time to thwart Lizelle Lee’s stumping effort.But Sixers’ innings never hit the same heights after Dunkley lobbed Graham’s slower ball out to Rachel Trenaman at long on.Only Gardner joined Perry and Dunkley in passing 50 as the Sixers lost 4 for 6 to finish their innings with Graham on song. Graham had her four-fer by collecting Erin Burns’ stumps as the veteran stepped back and mistimed her shot.

The MP captain will be available from the third round of SMAT matches on November 30

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2025Rajat Patidar has recovered from a left-knee niggle and been cleared to play by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. He will rejoin the Madhya Pradesh squad in Kolkata on Friday and be available from the third round of matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from Sunday (November 30).Patidar, who is the MP captain, hasn’t played competitive cricket for four weeks. Following his appearance for India A in the first unofficial Test against South Africa A (on October 30), he missed the last two weeks of the Ranji Trophy due to persistent knee pain, which he first experienced during the MP’s first round Ranji fixture against Punjab on October 15.ESPNcricinfo understands Patidar completed a 10-day rehabilitation programme, and was given the RTP certificate (return to play) by the CoE’s medical team. He has resumed batting.Related

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Patidar was in excellent form prior to picking up the niggle. He started the Ranji season with a double century against Punjab, also scoring two centuries and two half-centuries during the course of a title-winning run as Central Zone captain in the season-opening Duleep Trophy.SMAT 2025-26 will be his first white-ball games since the conclusion of IPL 2025, where he led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden title. Since then, Patidar has been elevated to all-format captaincy for his state side, replacing Shubham Sharma.MP were runners-up in the previous SMAT season, with Patidar contributing significantly to their campaign. He was the second highest run-getter, hitting 428 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 186.08. Patidar’s 27 sixes were the most that season.

Everton are now reportedly racing to sign a La Liga star ahead of both Leeds United and Juventus in the January transfer window.

Everton join race to sign Conor Gallagher

La Liga seems to be where it’s at for Everton ahead of the January transfer window, with reports now claiming that they’ve joined the race to sign Conor Gallagher.

The Ateltico Madrid midfielder has put the Premier League on high alert as he looks to leave the Spanish club this winter, and Everton could yet secure his signature.

A move for the England international would highlight the progress that the Toffees have made since moving into the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Currently sat 10th, David Moyes’ side are just three points off Chelsea in fourth and there’s every chance that they could push for a shock European place if their current form continues.

It’s worth noting that Gallagher’s not the only one on Friedkin’s radar ahead of January, either. The Toffees are in search of reinforcements across the pitch, perhaps starting with their frontline.

Whilst Thierno Barry is beginning to show glimpses of his quality, he remains without a goal after securing a £27m move from Villarreal in the summer. As such, Everton have reportedly set their sights on signing Franculino Dju ahead of Bayern Munuch.

Then comes the task of adding to Moyes’ backline and that has reportedly seen club chiefs turn their focus towards welcoming impressive Real Betis centre-back Natan.

Everton join race to sign Natan

As reported in Spain, Everton are now ready to compete in the race to sign Natan against both Leeds United and Juventus. The Real Betis defender has impressed in La Liga this season and is set to cost any potential suitor around €40m (£35m) in the January transfer window.

Dubbed a “physical” centre-back by Como scout Ben Mattinson, the South American has already played in Italy with Napoli and Spain with Real Betis. Now, a Premier League move could be calling, as Everton and Leeds do battle for his signature.

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Standing at 6’2, the 24-year-old would certainly fit the part at Everton, who have a number of aerial dominators in Moyes’ backline as it is. There’s every chance that Natan would receive the game time that he’s after, too, given that Jarrad Branthwaite continues to struggle with injuries.

If the Toffees are to push into the European places this season then further investment will be the key. Whether it’s Natan, Gallagher or Dju in January, Friedkin would be wise to repeat their summer work and add quality in depth to Moyes’ side this winter.

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India’s 2025-26 season kicks off with a visit by West Indies in October

Abhijato Sensarma29-Sep-20253:28

What does the squad for the WI Tests tell us?

So West Indies are playing Test cricket in India?Yes, and the double-take is justified. Probably. It’s been exactly seven years since West Indies last toured the country for a Test series, way back in October 2018.The first Test starts in Ahmedabad on October 2 and the second one is in Delhi on October 10. The matches start at 9.30 am local time.Should I bother tuning in?Yes! With World Test Championship points in play, every game matters. India’s results in the home series against West Indies, followed by South Africa, will be crucial to their chances of making it to the final at Lord’s in two years’ time.Woah, slow down… remind me how the WTC works again?Ah, yes. The format has befuddled some of the best cricketing minds of our times.Now in its fourth edition, the format remains the same. Each team plays six series over a two-year cycle – three at home, three away. They get 12 points for a win, six for a draw, and none for a loss. Also, in case of over-rate offences, one point is deducted for each over they are deemed to be behind in the final match tally.The points they win are then converted to a percentage total, based on the overall points available to them, and this percentage-based ranking determines the top two teams, who play the final. All quite simple, really.Umm, sure… Remind me how India and West Indies are doing, again?India are third on the table, with 46.67 percentage points. Their first assignment was an all-timer of a Test series in England, which they drew 2-2. The draw still leaves them needing strong showings across the four home Tests this season to guarantee a good position on the table.West Indies are ranked sixth but that’s only because the three teams below them have not played any Tests in the new cycle. They lost 3-0 at home to Australia in what was an all-timer of a drubbing too. They were dismissed for 27 in the final Test, which led to an emergency meeting of the who’s who of Caribbean cricket.6:18

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What happened the last time these two teams met in India?The results were quite one-sided in the 2018 series – India won the first Test by an innings and 272 runs, the second one by ten wickets. In fact, the last time West Indies defeated India either home or away was in… 2002.The 2018 series also came when India were in the middle of a dominant home run. They didn’t lose a single series from 2013 to 2024.Something happened in 2024, didn’t it…Yes: the infamous 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home. That result re-contextualises this entire series. India will be looking to prove that it was an aberration, but their side is still recovering from the fallout of those events. Former captain Rohit Sharma, their long-term No. 4 Virat Kohli, as well as the first name on the team sheet at home, R Ashwin, have all retired.Right. Ashwin won’t be around for this oneYes – it is quite the loss, too. Since his debut in 2011, Ashwin did not miss a single one of the 65 Tests India played at home. His impact across all these games – 383 wickets at an average of 21.57 – will be tough to replace.But India have a promising spin trio lined up for the West Indies series. It might finally be time for Kuldeep Yadav to get an extended run in the side. He has 56 wickets at 22.16 but sat out all five Tests against England. Axar Patel wasn’t in that squad altogether but will play a prominent role with his proven all-round ability at home. Washington Sundar will look to match him, having already shown quality with the bat.Leading them all will be Ravindra Jadeja, nearing his 15th year in Test cricket and the vice-captain of the side in the absence of the injured Rishabh Pant.2:05

Is there a role for Nitish Kumar Reddy in home Tests?

How does the rest of India’s squad look?Despite gaining crucial experience in England, this is still quite a new-look side. Shubman Gill will lead India for the first time on home soil. He’s coming off a record-breaking run-spree in England, with four centuries, one of which he turned into a double. Pant is out, still recovering from the fractured left foot he sustained in Manchester. Dhruv Jurel is likely to take up the wicketkeeping duties, while N Jagadeesan slots into the squad after having flown to England as the back-up keeper for the final Test.Karun Nair finds himself outside the Test side after scoring just one fifty in eight innings in England. The selectors say that Devdutt Padikkal “offers more” at this stage.How about West Indies?They are looking for a reboot after the Australia defeat as well, reflected in how they have dropped their former captain and 100-Test veteran, Kraigg Brathwaite. Alick Athanaze and Tagenarine Chanderpaul have been recalled, with their ability to play spin being a crucial factor in the decision.Shai Hope made it back to the Test side for the first time since 2021 during the Australia series, but will be looking to improve on a performance where he scored 118 runs at 18.83 across six innings.That said, for West Indies to be competitive against India, they will need their own spinners to come good. Vice-captain Jomel Warrican and left-arm spinner Khary Pierre and captain Roston Chase have a big job ahead of them.A 2-0 clean sweep still seems like the most probable outcome, no?It is certainly a mismatch. However, West Indies will know that this is the most vulnerable India have been at home for a long time. They’ve lost their stalwarts. Their No. 3 – Sai Sudharsan – is still a work in progress. Jasprit Bumrah may be rested for the first Test given it starts just three days after the Asia Cup final. There are opportunities for an upset.ESPNcricinfo will be covering every moment of the series, so stay tuned.

Newcastle United are now reportedly plotting a move to sign a Premier League rival, who’s been frozen out at his current club.

Wissa: Newcastle debut a "long time" coming

At long last, Yoane Wissa made his Newcastle debut against Burnley. The former Brentford star arrived in the summer for as much as £55m – becoming one of the club’s most expensive ever signings – only to suffer an instant injury on international duty. Now, his wait is over and he’s finally stepped out at St James’ Park.

Speaking to reporters at full-time, Wissa admitted that his debut as been a “long time” coming – telling reporters: “It’s been a long time. The last 11 weeks, I’ve learned about the team and the players.

“It’s been a long road but I’m happy in the end. It gave my goosebumps [for his name to be read out when he came on]. I’m buzzing now. It can be an excellent season because we have so many quality players.”

Eddie Howe was also pleased to see the forward, although claimed that Wissa’s still got “a lot more work to do”.

The Newcastle boss said: “He’s got a lot more work to do to get to the very best level that he can. We hope to keep him available by managing correctly.

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“It’s difficult with the spell of games that we have to sort of train him and build his fitness with all the game schedule. So it’s going to be a really delicate balance for us, but hopefully we can find a solution to it.”

Meanwhile, as one arrival gets on the pitch for the first time, another could be on the way with reports now claiming that Newcastle are plotting a move to sign Chelsea’s Axel Disasi.

Newcastle plotting Axel Disasi move

As reported by Caught Offside, Newcastle are now plotting a concrete move to sign Disasi from Chelsea in the January transfer window. The defender has been thrown aside by Enzo Maresca and forced to join the likes of Raheem Sterling in the club’s so-called bomb squad. Now, however, he could get the move he so desperately needs in January.

For Newcastle, a move for the out-of-favour Chelsea man would provide Howe with some vital depth as Sven Botman continues to struggle on the injury front.

The Dutchman, as talented as he is, has become somewhat of a liability in recent times thanks to his injury history. And as Malick Thiaw continues to nail down his starting place, the Magpies could do with handing him a consistent partner. That is where Disasi could come in.

Dubbed “brilliant” by Sky Sports pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher in 2024, Disasi will be chomping at the bit to make his mark, having not played all season at Chelsea, and Newcastle should take full advantage.

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Manchester United are scaling up under Ruben Amorim and may now find themselves in the driving seat to land an England international on one condition.

Man Utd dig deep to see off Crystal Palace

Despite Crystal Palace’s recent form and a loss for the Red Devils at home to Everton on Monday, Manchester United rallied from a goal down to defeat the Eagles courtesy of goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount.

Bruno Fernandes was the architect for his side and a major driving force behind their victory, which has moved the English giants further up the Premier League table as they look to qualify for European competition.

Speaking post-match, Amorim praised his side for the control they had over proceedings after they managed to break their duck in a notoriously difficult fixture encompassing years gone by.

He stated via BBC Sport: “It was small details that helped. The pace and intensity was better in the second half. I could see that Palace were getting tired at the end of the first half and knew they would suffer if we scored.

“We went on to control the game well away from our goal and in the opposition half. We controlled the game well but just have to be careful about what we did in the first half.”

There is no time for rest at Manchester United, who will now prepare for a quickfire double header against West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, offering the prospect of more points in their mission to scale the table.

Either way, their squad has started to be stretched, and the next window or two will be pivotal for the long-term future of Amorim’s tenure, and he could now be set to raid a Premier League rival to sign an England international.

Man Utd confident they can sign Adam Wharton under one condition

According to The Mirror, Manchester United are confident they can sign Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace if they achieve continental qualification this term.

Amorim believes the 21-year-old is an ideal fit for his vision at Old Trafford, though it is said the former Blackburn Rovers man is likely to snub a move should the Red Devils fail to achieve their goal of European football.

Adam Wharton vs Man Utd (Fotmob)

Chances created

1

Accurate passes

23/28

XG + XA

0.18

Defensive contributions

13

Passes in the final third

9

Part of this focus comes from the fact that he is ready to take a step onto the biggest stage. Should a summer move come to fruition, he would likely be keen to consolidate his name at one of the elite after playing a part for England at the World Cup.

Joao Gomes, Conor Gallagher and Elliot Anderson are also on the Red Devils’ list. However, Wharton, valued at £70m is their number one choice and has previously been labelled “incredible” by Eberechi Eze.

With two assists under his belt in 18 appearances across all competitions this term, the Three Lions man has imposed himself on the top-flight and would likely be a premium grade long-term replacement for Casemiro if a deal were to go through.

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Manchester United’s midfield department has been a problem area over the last couple of months, with Ruben Amorim still yet to discover his best partnership at the heart of the side.

The 40-year-old has operated with a two-man partnership ever since he took the reins last November, with the midfielders crucial to his 3-4-2-1 system.

The likes of Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount have often shared responsibility in starting as part of the duo, but the manager still wants reinforcements in such a position.

Kobbie Mainoo is just another option at Amorim’s disposal, but he’s often decided against utilising the Englishman, as seen by his measly tally of zero starts in the Premier League this campaign.

As a result, INEOS have been tasked with identifying potential options during the January transfer window to try and provide a long-term fix to the issues in the midfield department.

Man Utd’s hunt for new additions during January

Over the last couple of weeks, United have been one of the Premier League clubs interested in a move to land Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.

It’s been reported that Amorim’s men have already held talks with Sean Dyche’s side over a potential move, but it could be an expensive one, with a £100m price tag currently being mooted.

They aren’t alone in their pursuit of the 23-year-old, with rivals Manchester City also said to be keeping a close eye on his progress ahead of the upcoming window.

However, Anderson isn’t the only midfielder on the Red Devils’ radar, with Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham another option INEOS are reportedly considering.

According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim’s men have made a €150m (£130m) bid for the England international in an attempt to solve their current issues.

The report also states that his current employers aren’t looking to offload him at present, which could make a deal somewhat tricky to complete in the near future.

Why Bellingham would be perfect for Bruno Fernandes

Despite being an attacking midfielder, Bruno Fernandes has been asked to play in a somewhat deeper midfield role in United’s squad this season – often partnering Casemiro at the heart of the side.

However, it hasn’t stopped the Portuguese international from starring at the heart of the side, as seen by his excellent goals and assists tally in the Premier League.

In his first 15 appearances of the league campaign, he’s already registered ten combined goals and assists, with three of his efforts coming at Wolves on Monday night.

However, the manager is yet to strike a balance at the heart of the side, especially considering Casemiro is now 33 and set to leave at the end of his contract in the summer.

As a result, Bellingham could well be the answer to the current issue in midfield, especially if his stats from LaLiga in 2025/26 to date are anything to go by.

The numbers he’s produced showcase his remarkable box-to-box nature, which could well make him the perfect partner for Bruno at the heart of the side.

Bellingham, who’s been described as “the best midfielder in the world” by Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, has been a tad off the pace this term but he’s certainly still the best when you consider raw talent and his potential. There is a reason, after all, that Madrid trusted him to wear Zinedine Zidane’s famed number 5 shirt at the biggest club in the global game.

To illuminate his qualities, he’s completed 8.9 progressive passes per 90, all of which being made into the final third. That sounds pretty perfect for Fernandes, doesn’t it?

Such numbers showcase the creative nature he possesses, with such tallies potentially taking some of the strain and responsibility on Bruno to constantly provide the goods in central areas.

However, out of possession is where the 22-year-old has excelled this campaign, as seen by his tally of 2.9 tackles won per 90 – subsequently ranking him in the top 5% of all players in LaLiga.

He’s also made 0.9 interceptions and won 1.5 aerials won per 90, which also ranks him in the top 5% of midfielders – highlighting his remarkable talents out of possession.

Bellingham’s dominance is showcased in his tally of 67% of tackles entered that he’s won this season, finally ending United’s hunt for a new ball-winner if a deal can be completed.

£130m would be a remarkable amount of money spent on just one player, but the Madrid star has demonstrated world-class levels for many years despite his tender age.

The prospect of him linking up with Bruno is one to get excited about, with the pair potentially having the quality to catapult the club to a title challenge in the near future.

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