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Celtic are now targeting a move to sign Wessam Abou Ali from Columbus Crew, according to reports, with Wilfried Nancy looking to bring one of his star men to Scotland.

At long last, the Bhoys are closing in on a managerial appointment. The Scottish giants have taken their time, waiting for the right appointment, with Martin O’Neill doing an impressive job as interim boss in the meantime.

The 73-year-old has reiterated every week that he will happily step aside once Celtic have found their next permanent option and that looks set to happen sooner rather than later amid recent reports.

The Columbus Crew manager looks set to take his first job in European football and has the task of bridging the gap on Hearts in a shock Scottish Premiership title race.

O’Neill, meanwhile, will bow out of his second stint in charge after steadying the ship. Whether he’s still in charge by the time that Celtic travel to face Feyenoord this Thursday is the big question.

Speaking to reporters, the veteran manager said: “The answer is this: the game is on Thursday so the plane leaves on Wednesday. They better make their minds up very quickly.”

Of course, if Nancy doesn’t arrive in time, then O’Neill will have the opportunity to win his first European game of his second stint in charge to cap off a small tenure full of nostalgia.

The ball will then be in the new manager’s court, who has already reportedly identified the need for a new striker at Celtic Park and set his sights on exactly who that new striker should be.

Celtic now lining up January move for Columbus Crew star

According to the Scottish Sun, Celtic are now targeting a move to sign Abou Ali from Columbus Crew in the January transfer window. The 26-year-old Palestinian striker has been one of Nancy’s best players in the MLS and quickly won the faith of his manager after arriving from Ahly SC.

Celtic chiefs learn Nancy arrival date as personal terms update emerges

The Hoops are closing in…

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 20, 2025

Described as “clinical” by Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tall, Abou Ali first grabbed the headlines when he scored a perfect hat-trick against Porto at the Club World Cup as the MLS side watched on, waiting to secure his signature.

Since then, the 26-year-old has only impressed even more in America and may yet be on his way to Scotland to strike an instant reunion with Nancy.

Abou Ali	Record with Nancy
Games	5
Goals	3
Assists	1

With four goal involvements in five games under Nancy, Celtic would be wise to go all out to sign the 6’1 forward, who could solve their own striker problem in January.

Whether Columbus Crew will allow their star striker to leave with their manager is another question, however. Losing Nancy is already set to deal them a blow in its own right, let alone their top star alongside him.

Celtic set to make quadruple backroom appointment to Nancy's staff

As takeover talks continue, Sheffield Wednesday could reportedly get the chance to sign former Leeds United star Liam Cooper after holding fresh talks with the EFL.

Things are looking up for the Owls. Even as Norwich City rescued a point, there was a greater sense of positivity at Hillsborough than there has been in recent months. With controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri gone, they’ve been able to look towards a future which could involve an owner who has the club’s interests at heart.

BBC reporter shares latest £50m step that 3 Sheffield Wednesday candidates have just taken

Things are looking up for the Owls.

ByTom Cunningham Oct 31, 2025

To that end, the likes of John McEvoy and other unnamed American parties have been mentioned as potential options in the last two weeks, with the amount of interest in the club coming as a positive surprise for co-administrator Kris Wigfield. In a statement, the Begbies managing partner praised fans for their support since arriving.

There could also be more positive steps to come. Wigfield told reporters that the administrators are in talks with the EFL over an alleviation of recruitment restrictions, which would allow the Owls to welcome some much-needed reinforcements.

Given that they currently sit on -4 points and with an impossible task ahead of them if they want to survive, any chance to recruit would be welcomed by everyone at Sheffield Wednesday. It could even open the door for a former Leeds star.

Sheffield Wednesday eyeing Liam Cooper move

According to The Star’s Alex Miller, Sheffield Wednesday are now eyeing a move to sign Liam Cooper after holding talks with the EFL in the hope of seeing their restrictions lifted. The former Leeds United defender has been out of a club since leaving CSKA Sofia in the summer, but could now get the chance to return to the Championship courtesy of the Owls.

It’s a move that he needs just as much as Sheffield Wednesday. At 34 years old, Cooper is not yet retired and could yet bow out back in English football. Having spent 10 years at Leeds in both the Championship and the Premier League, his experience would prove vital to the Owls whether they’re in the second tier or in League One next season.

After he played his final game for Leeds, manager Daniel Farke was full of praise for Cooper – telling reporters: “It was a pleasure and a privilege to be allowed to be his manager for the last 12 months.

“I’ve also played several times against him, also in his prime. So what can I say? A fantastic footballer, a fantastic human being, an unbelievable person. He’s a real club legend.”

John Textor makes Sheffield Wednesday contact

Northern Superchargers 193 for 5 (Malan 58, Crawley 45) beat Birmingham Phoenix 157 for 9 (Bethell 48, Livingstone 46*, Potts 3-26, Lawes 2-23, Rashid 2-26, Duffy 2-31) by 36 runsAn absorbing game in front of a capacity Leeds crowd finally went the way of Harry Brook’s Superchargers, who claimed top spot outright in the men’s Hundred following another scintillating batting performance against Birmingham Phoenix.In pursuit of the Superchargers’ 193 for 5 – the highest score in the men’s tournament since the 2023 season – a magnificent partnership of 80 in just 42 balls between Phoenix’s Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell briefly threatened to upset the odds, but the brilliance of Adil Rashid, who removed Bethell caught-and-bowled with 87 still needed from 38 balls, ultimately swung the momentum back to the home team.Livingstone kept swinging after Bethell’s departure but Rashid’s guile was too much for the Phoenix hitters. In a game dominated by the bat, on a flat pitch with a lightning fast outfield, it was the great legspinner who once again proved to be the difference, outfoxing Livingstone with his 17th delivery to settle the contest.The Phoenix top order again failed to fire, with three wickets falling in the powerplay – two of them to the excellent Matthew Potts, who finished up with three. Phoenix now face an uphill task to qualify for the latter stages of the competition.With the bat, the Superchargers’ superb top four were yet again irrepressible. Zak Crawley and Dawid Malan continued their fruitful opening partnership, adding 67 in 31 balls – Crawley was particularly savage on anything wide, racking up six fours and two sixes in his 23-ball stay – before Michael Pepper and then Brook took centre stage.Brook opened his account with an outrageous scoop for six off his first ball, and finished with 31 from just 14 deliveries as the home side added 40 in the last 20 balls.With three wins in four, Andrew Flintoff’s team are emerging as one of the teams to beat in this year’s tournament.Rashid, named the Meerkat Match Hero, said: “I thought we played exceptionally well. We put a great score on the board, which allowed us bowlers to go out there and attack to take wickets. We’ve got world class players all the way through and great firepower in the middle order.”I know their batters are going to come hard at me, so I need to be unpredictable and mix it up. It’s useful for me because I’ve bowled to a lot of these boys in the nets, so I know their strengths and weaknesses as well, which all plays a part. You’re always learning every day, and hopefully I’ll keep learning until the day comes when I hang up the boots.”

The Saudi Pro League is renowned for its wealth and ability to give players huge wages, but who are the most expensive signings in the competition’s history?

European football remains the dominant force in the modern game, with the likes of the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga generally possessing the best players in the world.

In recent years, the Saudi Pro League has increasingly come to the fore, offering footballers eye-watering weekly wages and tempting them away from European clubs in the process.

To some, it is a sub-standard league where players go to earn big money in the twilight of their careers, but others feel it could only continue to grow in the coming years, especially if it continues to attract some of the biggest names in the sport.

There have been plenty of big-money signings to Saudi clubs since its rise to prominence – here are the 15 most expensive to date.

Rank

Player

Transfer

Date

Fee (£)

Neymar

PSG to Al-Hilal

Aug 2023

Jhon Duran

Aston Villa to Al-Nassr

Jan 2025

Mateo Retegui

Atalanta to Al-Qadsiah

July 2025

Darwin Nunez

Liverpool to Al-Hilal

Aug 2025

Malcom

Zenit to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

Otavio

Porto to Al-Nassr

Aug 2023

Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad

Jul 2024

Ruben Neves

Wolves to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Fulham to Al-Hilal

Aug 2023

Galeno

Porto to Al-Ahli

Jan 2025

Ivan Toney

Brentford to Al-Ahli

Aug 2024

Fabinho

Liverpool to Al-Ittihad

Jul 2023

Mohamed Simakan

RB Leipzig to Al-Nassr

Sep 2024

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Lazio to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

Marcos Leonardo

Benfica to Al-Hilal

Sep 2024

15 Marcos Leonardo Benfica to Al-Hilal (£33.7m)

Kicking off the list is Brazilian youngster Marcos Leonardo, who joined Al-Hilal from Benfica earlier this year in a deal worth a reported €40m (£33.7m).

The 21-year-old forward was previously with Santos in his homeland, but he clearly felt that a Saudi move was best for his development at this early stage in his career. Only time will tell if it is the right call, but it has been rare to see such a young footballer head there.

14 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Lazio to Al-Hilal (£34m)

For a long time, it seemed inevitable that Sergej Milinkovic-Savic would end up at one of the best teams in Europe, having stood out as such a dominant performer for Lazio, combining talent and physicality in midfield.

It came as a huge shock to see him join Al-Hilal last year in a deal reportedly worth £34m, especially as he was still only in his late 20s at that point. Will he return to Europe in the future?

13 Mohamed Simakan RB Leipzig to Al-Nassr (£37.9m)

Mohamed Simakan made the decision to leave RB Leipzig and join Al-Nassr in September 2024, in a move worth €45m (£37.9m), linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.

Only in his mid 20s, the centre-back’s decision to move away from Europe arguably surprised some, but it is still early days, and the club’s success on the domestic and continental stages may determine whether he’ll come to regret saying goodbye to the Bundesliga.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Frenchman will certainly be looking to make an impression as he seeks a first senior international cap.

12 Fabinho Liverpool to Al-Ittihad (£40m)

Liverpool enjoyed a glorious period in their history under Jurgen Klopp, winning plenty of trophies, and Fabinho played a massive role in the Reds’ success.

A world-class No 6 at his peak, the Brazilian’s ability started to wane in the 2022/23 season, with his body no longer allowing him to cover ground like he once did.

A Saudi move felt like the best outcome for all parties, and Fabinho moved to Al-Ittihad for a reported £40m the following summer.

11 Ivan Toney Brentford to Al-Ahli (£40m)

Much like Milinkovic-Savic, Ivan Toney felt like a player who was only on the up at Brentford, with a move to one of the Premier League’s biggest teams often mooted.

Instead, the England international left the Bees to join Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024 in a move that surprised many, even amid his contract issues in west London.

Reports of his eventual transfer fee were mixed, but most appear to indicate Brentford received a sum of around £40m.

10 Galeno Porto to Al-Ahli (£41.6m)

Former Porto star Galeno was one of two major signings in the January 2025 market for the Saudi Pro League, with the winger joining Al-Ahli for €50m (£41.6m).

Galeno had scored eight in 18 appearances for Porto before departing for the Middle East, and has already written his name into the history books, scoring in the AFC Champions League final against Kawasaki Frontale.

His arrival marks Al-Ahli’s most expensive signing, replacing Ivan Toney.

9 Aleksandar Mitrovic Fulham to Al-Hilal (£46m)

Many players who have moved to the Saudi Pro League have been individuals whose peaks have been and gone, but Aleksandar Mitrovic went there while in his prime.

He was just 28 when he opted to trade Fulham for Al-Hilal, but he is no doubt reaping the financial rewards. Mitrovic’s transfer fee was officially undisclosed, with the Cottagers indicating they had received a “club-record” fee. While it was thought to be close to £50m, a sum of £46m appears to be the most widely mentioned.

8 Ruben Neves Wolves to Al-Hilal (£47m)

Ruben Neves’ move to Saudi Arabia has to stand out as one of the biggest surprises having grown into such a key player at Wolves, while still only being in his mid-20s.

It looked like the Portugal star had the pick of his clubs given the natural talent he possesses in midfield, but the race for his signature was won by Al-Hilal, who paid £47m for Neves’ services.

7 Moussa Diaby Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad (£50m)

It looked like Aston Villa had signed themselves a gem of a player in Moussa Diaby, with the winger catching the eye with his quality and end product during his one season at Villa Park.

His campaign did fizzle out a bit as it went on, but few would have expected to see him ditch the Midlands side for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad, with the Villans receiving around £50m in the process.

It’s hard not to feel as though the Frenchman is wasting the best years of his career in a lesser division, although the financial aspects of the move are undeniably appealing.

6 Otavio Porto to Al-Nassr (£51.1m)

Otavio was always a highly rated figure for Porto, and became a key part of the Portugal setup before opting for a Saudi move instead of a European switch, which cost Al-Nassr €60m (£51.1m) in August 2023.

He’s not set the world alight in the Middle East, scoring just one goal and supplying five assists in 2024/25.

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.

Everton could sign "one of the best left-backs in the world" for just £25m

The Toffees could look to re-sign one of their former players and have several formulas ready to acquire him.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 30, 2025

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.

Everton eyeing up move to sign former-Liverpool star who's been "fantastic"

An angry Leeds United fan who tried to confront manager Daniel Farke following the defeat to Aston Villa at Elland Road on Sunday has been arrested. The incident occurred midway through the Premier League clash, as Unai Emery's side came back from behind to beat the hosts 2-1. With the loss, the Whites now sit in the relegation zone with 11 points from 12 matches.

• Fan arrested for confronting Farke

  After a steady enough start, Leeds' return to the Premier League has begun to turn sour courtesy of three consecutive defeats that have left them in the drop zone, with the latest coming at home to Villa at the weekend. Farke's side's last win came against West Ham in late October.

  The Whites got off to a bright start on Sunday as Lukas Nmecha handed them an early lead – courtesy of a howler from Emiliano Martinez – but Aston Villa bounced back in style in the second half, with Morgan Rogers scoring a brace. While the match was ongoing, a 61-year-old fan entered the pitch at Elland Road and tried to confront beleaguered Leeds boss Farke near the dugout. He was quickly escorted away by stewards at the ground before the situation could get any worse, and according to the , the supporter in question has now been arrested.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Farke reacts to fan anger

  While the angry fan received faces punishment for entering the pitch, Farke claimed that he understood the frustrations of the supporters, as he said: "I didn’t see it. Everyone is disappointed. I don't want one change in our supporters. I don't want them to be happy after (we have lost) and to give some plaudits. We have a very passionate fan base, and this is what we want – it's a privilege. I don't want our supporters to change one per cent. They should be angry and disappointed. I feel exactly the same, and for that, we would expect it, that it's like this. I totally understand this."

• 'We should've taken some points from this game'

  Farke further analysed his team's performance, while speaking on the BBC's Match of the Day, as he said: "Performance-wise, we've turned back to what we want to be. We dominated many periods against a very good side. We should've taken some points from this game. We are not back to our best, we can still improve, but at the end we are just disappointed we did not get any points. To concede two goals is not good. As good as we are attacking down the left side at the moment we concede too many goals. We concede so quickly straight after the restart. Over the course of 38 games you have ups and downs. It happens sometimes at this level. Performance-wise I was happy. At the moment we are in a period where things are going against us. Of course, the fans are unhappy and disappointed once we lose games. I don't want them to have a different reaction. I want them to feel like the world is falling apart when we lose a game, otherwise, you can't be a Leeds United supporter. I'm just fully focused on the performance. If we perform like this today we'll win many more points."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Emery praised Rogers for being 'angry'

  Villans boss Emery heaped praise on the hero of the game, Rogers, as he said: "Through numbers it is more brilliant and really relevant, his work today. His impact was positive with goals. Always he plays well. He does his task and he is versatile across different positions. Maybe today he showed that he is angry to score. Being angry, he scored two goals, focusing on how he could get numbers. He did it, helping the team and for our victory today. He is a player who can get numbers. Last year, he got double numbers for goals and assists. This year, I think he will get this again. He was playing fantastic before this match, not getting numbers, but helping the team. With those goals today, it’s more brilliant. I think Morgan is very important when he is scoring and when he is not scoring. He is working tactically, being versatile, and performing very consistently.” 

  When asked what he meant by angry, Emery said: "Hungry and angry to score. Both. It is in this direction."

Martin O’Neill’s future as Celtic’s interim manager remains unknown for the time being, but a new update has now emerged regarding the situation.

The 4-2-3-1-playing O’Neill has enjoyed a successful return to Parkhead, winning three of his four matches in temporary charge of the Hoops.

The 73-year-old remains as popular as ever among the Celtic supporters, while Ian Wright has recently heaped praise on the job he is doing at the Scottish Premiership champions, calling him “amazing”, and Paul Scholes has lauded the “unbelievable energy” that he has.

It has recently been claimed that O’Neill’s time in charge of the Hoops could come to an end during the current international break, however, with the Scottish giants seeing Wilfried Nancy and Kjetil Knutsen as the front-runners to come in.

There are some Celtic fans who would like the idea of him staying on, though, given his history with the club and the results he has masterminded since returning, and now a new update has emerged over his future.

Dermot Desmond set for Martin O'Neill talks this week

According to a new claim from Sky Sports, Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond is set to hold “discussions” with O’Neill this week, although it isn’t specified whether it is to do with staying on until the end of the season or bringing someone else in.

That said, the report states that the Hoops are “pleased with the way O’Neill has galvanised the squad and lifted the mood at Celtic Park”, which can only be a good thing for him.

As is always the case with a manager, opinion is sure to be split over O’Neill’s future, with some feeling that he is the right man for the job until next summer, and others perhaps thinking a younger and more long-term option is required right now.

The Northern Irishman has even admitted himself that the demands are tough on a 73-year-old, perhaps showing that he may not have it in him to take the Hoops job on a permanent basis.

“Do you know, that is a genuinely good point, so I’m going to be serious here. I really don’t know. It’s a young man’s game, and I’m almost talking myself out of this here, but it’s been tough, you know. All the things that I kind of thought I knew about it have come to sort of fruition.”

Approach imminent: Manager with 209 wins to 70 losses excited by Celtic

The Bhoys appear to have made their move as they target a permanent successor to Martin O’Neill.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 10, 2025

It still feels more likely that O’Neill will be moved on, with a younger alternative coming in soon, but he has a good relationship with Desmond, which can’t be a bad thing, and there would be clear positives to him staying on if he is keen to.

Shock Celtic manager frontrunner receives backing from Parkhead higher-up

The MLB All-Star Game looked a bit different in 2025.

While the usual star-on-star battles were present as always, the end result featured a twist. The game, which was tied after nine innings, did not go to extra innings but instead went to a swing-off between three sluggers apiece from the American League and the National League.

And even though some of the game's brightest stars were not there to witness the swing-off, the ending provided some excitement, as Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber belted three clutch home runs to lead the NL to victory.

So, how did the new-look All-Star Game and its broadcast on Fox fare in the TV ratings?

The MLB All-Star Game reeled in an average of 7.2 million viewers, down slightly from 2024 but an increase from its record-low viewership just two seasons ago.

Besides the swing-off, among the highlights of the game were the star-studded showdowns in the first innings—including reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge against 2024 Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes—Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman's return to Atlanta, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw's appearance in the second inning, New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso's three-run homer, and the AL's late-innings comeback after it trailed 6-0.

Free-flowing approach from England’s batters came unstuck in first innings, but senior batter backs talent to fight back

Andrew Miller05-Dec-2025Despite a gruelling day in the field, studded with five dropped catches, Joe Root remains adamant that England are still in touch with Australia in the second Test at the Gabba, but says that any prospect of a fightback will require their batters to “express themselves in the right way” for the remainder of a must-win match.Root himself did just that in England’s first innings, finishing unbeaten on 138 to record his maiden Test hundred in Australia, and his 40th overall. Too many of his team-mates failed to provide the requisite support, however, with Harry Brook’s carefree knock of 31 leading his former team-mate, Stuart Broad, to question his game awareness during a stint on Australian radio. In addition to four ducks, Zak Crawley’s 76 was England’s only other score of note, until Jofra Archer joined Root in a free-wheeling last-wicket stand of 70 in 9.4 overs.That shortcoming had been set in stark relief by the close of the second day, with Australia strongly placed on 378 for 6, a lead of 44, thanks to double-figure contributions from each of the eight batters so far used. No-one could go past Jake Weatherald’s 72, but after a brace of 60s from Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, and 45 from Cameron Green, Alex Carey remained unbeaten at the close on 46.England’s standards were challenged throughout a tough day, with Australia rattling along at more than five runs an over, while Will Jacks’ anonymity with the ball has already placed a huge burden on their four-man seam attack. They did manage to claim three wickets in the floodlit final session, including two in an over from a hard-toiling Brydon Carse. However, they also let slip four of those chances – including a particularly culpable drop from Carse at short cover off Michael Neser.Related

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Root lifts weight of the world with an ironic shrug

“It’s clear we weren’t our best at that phase of the game,” Root told TNT Sports at the close. “But the way that we dragged things back, by managing to take those wickets in a cluster, it shows what the nature of this game can be like, especially with the pink ball.”In the wake of their first-Test defeat, England’s decision not to play in a three-day floodlit match in Canberra came in for some criticism. While the nature of the contest arguably vindicated that move from a batting and bowling point of view, the chance to replicate a fielding session under the floodlights was perhaps an opportunity lost for the visitors.Root, however, insisted England had worked hard on their fielding drills in their practice sessions at the Gabba.”It is different to a white ball,” he said. “We get a lot of exposure to [floodlit cricket] in ODI cricket and T20 cricket, but it is slightly different. But you still back yourself. We practice really hard for the five days leading into it. We made sure we got our work done. Unfortunately, it’s just one of those days where a few didn’t quite stick to hand. We’ve got to make sure we stay confident, we stay up and, when we get those chances later on in the fixture, we’re ready to take them.Marnus Labuschagne raised his second fifty of the series•Darrian Traynor/Getty Images”We’ve obviously got some more work to do tomorrow, but we’re certainly well and truly in this game. More than anything we’ve got to come out with a huge amount of energy and positivity. We know our best cricket can turn a game very quickly, so we’ll turn up tomorrow with that right attitude. We know that, if we’re anywhere near our best, then very quickly this game can turn in our favour.”First things first, Root acknowledged, England must claim Australia’s final four wickets in the daylight hours.”If we get things right in the morning, and go about things as a team in the correct fashion, then we can put ourselves in a really strong position on a wicket which looks like it’s plating,” Root said. “It looks like there might be a few cracks to work with later on in the game. But clearly, we’ve got to look at tomorrow morning first and foremost, and get things right there.”However, the focus is already turning to England’s crucial second innings – which will begin not only with memories of Root’s resilience on the first day, but of how Australia themselves have gone about hunting down England’s score with aggression allied to sensible shot selection. The contrast with England’s approach, particularly against Mitchell Starc who struck in the first over of a new spell on three occasions in his first-innings 6 for 75, was telling.”When we get out there with the bat, the quality that we have and the talent that’s in that dressing room can go out there and express themselves in the right way on that surface to go and get a big score, which could be very tricky batting last on that surface.””I’ve got quite a clear plan how I score my runs,” he added. “I’ve just got to back myself and understand that, if I do that for long periods of time and make good decisions, I’ll be successful.”Labuschagne, whose partnerships with Weatherald and Smith were key to Australia’s strong position, acknowledged that his dismissal for 65 – just as the floodlights were kicking in – was ill-timed, but his proactive 78-ball innings had still been an ideal template for the conditions.”I would like to be a bit more resilient … getting out on the stroke of the changeover between day and night was not ideal,” he said. “But you’ve just got to keep telling yourself as the batter, it’s just one ball at a time. If you’re thinking too far ahead, you start reading into a ball that might have bounced more off a crack or hit you. You’ve got to stay in the moment as much as you can.”If you’re bowling good balls in the channel at the Gabba, it’s tough to score with the extra bounce. But it was a nice wicket. Obviously, it’s a little bit cracky here and there, but the majority of the times the balls hit the wicket, it was really nice.”The two guys at the top just grabbed that momentum of the game early, and we were almost able to piggyback their momentum, and continue to put pressure on.”

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 hails spinners Kartikeya and Jain in Duleep Trophy victory

• Patidar to lead MP across formats after IPL, Duleep Trophy success

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.