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USMNT stars Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams & Brenden Aaronson were present for a brutal defensive assessment from Sam Allardyce at Leeds last campaign.

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Whites struggled throughout 2022-23 campaignAmerican stars unable to steer them to safetyEx-England boss oversaw slide into the ChampionshipWHAT HAPPENED?

None of that trio are at Elland Road in 2023-24, with McKennie returning to Juventus at the end of his loan spell, while Adams has joined Bournemouth and Aaronson is spending the current campaign at Union Berlin. Their departures were sparked by relegation out of the Premier League, with Allardyce unable to pull off a great escape after taking in just four games at the helm.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT BAMFORD SAID

He inherited a squad that was stuck in a rut, and did not hold back when offering an opinion on those at his disposal during a brutal first squad meeting. Patrick Bamford has lifted the lid on that chat, telling the podcast: “Honestly, he was brilliant. We had a meeting, we're all sat there, he's come in, just walked in, just stood at the front with his cup of tea, and just basically told us we're sh*t at defending. Just told us we need to sort this out. And that's what he did. There was no beating around the bush.

"The lads who didn't really know much about him, in terms of they'd been playing abroad or are foreign lads, are a bit taken aback. But obviously us English lads, who even growing up have watched him as a manager, you know what he's like. We're just like 'this is brilliant'. Tell it to us how it is and we can deal with it. It was simplifying it and just going back to the basics, which obviously last year we weren’t very good at. So he had a job on his hands. He definitely got us tighter at the back and if he’d been there a little but longer, we would’ve been fine.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Leeds finished five points adrift of safety last season, with Allardyce picking up just one from the 12 available to him. United States international Adams, who captained his country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was among those unavailable to the vastly experienced former England boss through injury.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LEEDS?

Leeds have, following a mass summer clearout, moved on to Daniel Farke in the managerial department and are looking to bounce back into the Premier League at the first time of asking – with the Whites currently sat third in the Championship table.

Cricinfo sums up the gains and losses incurred during abizarre six-day war.

Andrew Miller05-Jun-2005There really is nothing more that can be said about the series just passed. Ian Bell, with a century before lunch to his name on Saturday, summed the situation up last night, when he admitted that the bowlers he had just spanked around the park were less of a challenge than your average county attack.What, though, of the challenge ahead? Australia have arrived and the summer is about to begin in earnest, but after a warm-up of this one-sidedness, are England remotely prepared for what is about to hit them? Here, Cricinfo sums up the gains and losses incurred during a bizarre six-day war.

Steve Harmison: important wickets, but should he now be rested? © Getty Images
Steve Harmison’s confidence. A tally of 10 wickets in two Tests is no great shakes, although it is one more than he managed on thattraumatic tour of South Africa last winter. His first-day performance at the Riverside was as explosive as anyone could have wished, and the 90mph yorker that dismissed Habibul Bashar would have troubled even the best of Australia’s batting line-up.Harmison says he has an extra gear to unleash on the Aussies, althoughthere must be a strong temptation to wrap him in cotton wool until thestart of the Ashes. If he is truly England’s trump card, then why play him in seven largely irrelevant one-day games? The Aussies, naturally, would claim he was running scared, but bear in mind, they never had any qualms about hiding Shane Warne during the 1993 Texaco Trophy. And look how that little ruse turned out.Andrew Flintoff’s fitness. Compare and contrast Freddie’s recovery (or lack of) after his hernia operation in 2002-03, to the Lazarus impersonation he has pulled off in 2005. He flew home from South Africa at the end of January to have a spur on his left ankle removed, and the initial prognosis was that he would take no part in the Bangladesh series whatsoever, or at least play only as a batsman.In the event, the exact opposite has occurred. Flintoff bowled 21 fieryovers in the second Test, having eased his way back with five wickets in an exploratory performance at Lord’s, and though he was inked in at No. 6, he was not required to bat even once, thanks to the unfailing success of the England top five. That scenario, as Vaughan admitted, was not ideal, but there will be plenty opportunities in the one-dayers for Freddie to put bat to ball.

Ian Bell: effortless arrival into England’s Test team © Getty Images
Ian Bell’s arrival. Three into two didn’t go in South Africa this winter, so Bell was the unlucky man to miss out when the tour party was unveiled. But Mark Butcher and Robert Key were unable to stake an unassailable claim to the middle-order rights, leaving the way clear for England’s most assured newcomer since, well, Andrew Strauss.The beauty of Bell’s batting is its anonymity. Because he plays every ball precisely on its merits, he has never yet looked in a hurry at the crease, not even while milking 105 runs in a session on Saturday morning. He is unlikely ever to approach that sort of run-rate again, but there is every reason to believe he can survive against Australia, and ultimately flourish.Geraint Jones’s keeping. Never mind the little controversy surrounding that catch. A more savvy cricketer than Nafees Iqbal would have stood his ground, and the moment would have passed after a brief consultation. Nafees, and Bangladesh as a whole, will be older and wiser for the experience, and that, after all, is what this tour is all about.For Jones, the feeling of ball on glove is the more important aspect. South Africa was a tough tour, made tougher by his unfortunate habit of diving blindly in front of first slip and so unsettling his slip cordon as well as himself. Here, his footwork was first-rate, thanks in no small part to his one-on-one sessions with Jack Russell, and a tally of nine catches in the match took his career haul past 50 dismissals – an important milestone for one so doubted.

Matthew Hoggard: Man of the Match, but not at his best © Getty Images
Matthew Hoggard’s no-ball problem. When asked who he thought would be the England’s biggest threat to the Australians, Habibul Bashar immediately plumped for Hoggard – a curious choice that said more about Bangladesh’s unfamiliarity with swing bowling, rather than any genuine form on Hoggard’s part. For in truth, though he finished with a flourish with his fifth five-wicket haul in Tests and the Man-of-the-Match award at Chester-le-Street, Hoggard did not enjoy an impressive series.Michael Vaughan certainly wasn’t fooled by his performance. At Lord’s, he and Harmison were profligate with the new ball; at the Riverside, Hoggard was withdrawn after three ineffectual overs. What is more, he served up 23 no-balls in the two games, and resorted to running in with his eyes closed in a bid to rediscover his rhythm. It was an apt metaphor for a series in which England were not exactly challenged, but a worrying sign nonetheless. Fortunately, with no one-day duties to distract him this month, he’ll have plenty time to groove his action in county cricket before Lord’s.England’s spin options Two years ago, the question on everyone’s lips was “what is the point of Ashley Giles?” It was a cruel jibe, but at the time a valid one, for Gilo’s role in the side had not been properly defined. It took a renaissance series against New Zealand this time last year to finally put an end to the bickering, but with his fitness in doubt because of a dodgy hip, the issue of his replacement has resurfaced. So, let it now be asked, what is the point of Gareth Batty?Until his 15 overs at the death of the series, Batty’s only notable contribution had been a miraculous catch at square leg. Duncan Fletcher loves his utility players, but in Batty’s case, his versatility has usually outweighed his impact with the ball. And it has ever been thus – in Sri Lanka two winters ago, his improbable batting success against Muttiah Muralitharan meant that England’s best attacking spinner, Robert Croft, was omitted from the decisive Test of the series. The result? England lost by an innings and 215 runs. Australia will have taken note.Bangladesh’s development. Not strictly relevant to England’s Ashes prospects, but valid nonetheless to the English summer. The pleasure of watching England ease to their tenth consecutive home Test victory has been severely tempered by the quality of resistance on display, and with the most pointless triangular tournament in history to follow, it can only be hoped that Bangladesh can take heart from their second-innings performance come the one-dayers.I wouldn’t bet on it. As Vaughan noted, the Bangladeshis like to go for their shots, but for every occasion in which Aftab Ahmed’s strokeplay pays off, there are likely to be ten occasions in which he holes out to cover for a 14-ball 20. Bangladesh’s record in one-day internationals is pitiful – this form of the game is supposedly a lottery, and yet they have won just twice against senior opposition in 20 years of trying. They have been in disarray so far on this most testing of tours. For everyone’s sake, we must hope they have now overcome the worst of the culture shock.

The two fast bowlers recovered from injuries, but wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella was omitted in favour of Dhananjaya de Silva

Andrew Fidel Fernando28-Feb-2018Fast bowlers Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal have returned to the Sri Lanka T20 squad after recovering from injuries, but wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella has been omitted in favour of Dhananjaya de Silva for the upcoming tri-series at home.Legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who was with the T20 team in Bangladesh, was also left out, with Sri Lanka naming just two specialist spinners – Akila Dananjaya and Amila Aponso – in addition to Jeevan Mendis, the legspinning allrounder.Apart from Dickwella’s omission, Sri Lanka retained the bulk of their batsmen from the Bangladesh series, which they had won 2-0. Kusal Mendis is likely to open the batting again. Now that Kusal Perera is back, however, there is competition for the top spots, with Upul Tharanga and Danushka Gunathilaka also vying for places in the top three.The senior fast bowlers’ return to fitness meant that Sri Lanka also have a strong attack. Where in Bangladesh the quicks were inexperienced, Lakmal and Pradeep will be expected to provide control and reliability, while Dushmantha Chameera – if he plays – is a faster, more attacking option. Left-armer Isuru Udana was also in the squad.De Silva’s selection was something of a surprise, given his mixed performances in past T20 internationals. He was in good touch in the Tests against Bangladesh, however, and hit 55, 0 and 42 in Sri Lanka’s club-based T20 tournament over the past few days.Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne and Shehan Madushanka were all unavailable through injury.The Nidahas Trophy begins on March 6 and will be played exclusively in Colombo.T20 squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Amila Aponso, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Dananjaya de Silva

Journalists Nizaar Kinsella and Michael Bridge have heaped praise on Tottenham Hotspur after some transfer news out of north London.

Who have Tottenham signed?

Ange Postecoglou saw his ranks significantly reinforced over the summer window, as Spurs sealed deals for seven major signings.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, young centre-back Ashley Phillips, defender Micky van de Ven, playmaker James Maddison, winger Manor Solomon, striker Alejo Veliz and forward Brennan Johnson all put pen to paper on moves to N17 before September 1; providing more strength in depth.

This comes as former superstar Harry Kane, Sergio Reguilon, Joe Rodon, Djed Spence, Harry Winks, Alfie Devine, Troy Parrott, Dane Scarlett, Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele seal moves elswhere is a real overhaul of the squad.

Postecoglou, chairman Daniel Levy and new Chief Football Officer Scott Munn are beginning to reshape the Spurs team in their new manager's image. It's been quite the start for him, too, as Tottenham begin the Premier League campaign with three wins from their opening four matches.

Impressively, they're currently matching last season's treble-winning Man City side for goals scored so far this season (11); highlighting the very promising early stages of Postecoglou're tenure in charge.

The Australian's appointment has also marked the return of open, attacking fooball at Tottenham with players like Dejan Kulusevski saying Postecoglou's ability has taken him by "surprise".

"I've been a little surprised but he’s really good," said Kulusevski on his new boss.

"We had a very tough time at the end of last season but he has come in with really positive energy and it has gone very quickly. We are a young team and everyone wants to play this way… It's clear that all of us players have done our best to listen as much as possible."

What's the latest Spurs transfer news?

Life under Postecoglou has been joyous for both members of the squad and players alike.

Tottenham have also been building an under-the-radar project for their new manager behind-the-scenes, as relayed by Alasdair Gold, who said this week that there is an "unseen" academy revolution happening right now.

The signing of Luka Vuskovic, who is joining Spurs' thriving youth set up when he turns 18 in 2025, is set to add further promise to their already-exciting crop of young talent at Hotspur Way.

Sky journalist Bridge, speaking to the Last Word on Spurs podcast this week (as transcribed by To The Lane and Back), says it's "very, very positive move".

“Now I don’t think Spurs will see him until 2025. But the fact that Spurs are actually thinking that far ahead is very, very positive," said Bridge.

"One person who knows the youth level has said to me that this kid could be ready at 18, which is quite unbelievable. But I suppose that’s backed up by the level he’s playing.”

Another member of the media to heap praise on Spurs after the signing of Vuskovic is The Evening Standard's Kinsella, who writes on X that the club have made a "really exciting signing" for Postecoglou.

Kinsella said: "Really exciting signing from Tottenham."

Chelsea have already spent ludicrous amounts this summer, but they could be set to unload yet another big fee in an effort to avenge a failure of the past…

Who are Chelsea signing this summer?

With Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo the latest to enter Stamford Bridge, it would be easy to assume that Mauricio Pochettino's midfield rebuild was complete.

However, given their free-spending philosophy thus far this window, it makes their next move simply impossible to predict.

There is every chance that they could even reignite an old rumour, with their reported interest in Everton's Amadou Onana from June fitting in with the transfer strategy employed thus far.

He is young, dynamic and progressive, and seemingly most importantly for the Blues, very expensive.

It is expected that the Toffees will command a fee of around £55m to sanction his exit, given he only joined last summer in a £33m deal.

How good is Amadou Onana?

In returning to Goodison Park for a young star, it is hard not to draw comparisons with their 2015 attempt to sign John Stones.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

The ball-playing centre-back had starred on Merseyside, with a skillset that was destined for things far greater than the struggles he was enduring with Everton.

Thus developed a huge transfer saga that lasted the entire summer of the aforementioned year, with Jose Mourinho desperate to bring the graceful defender to west London.

Three bids were rejected, and a satirical chant was forged by the fanbase of the Englishman: "Money can't buy you Stones" sung the Evertonians, to the tune of The Beatles' Can't Buy Me Love.

However, in the end, money did end up buying the now-28-year-old, as they accepted Manchester City's £47.5m bid the following summer. The rest is history.

He has risen to become one of the Premier League's finest defenders, becoming a mainstay for Pep Guardiola and his country, earning praise from the Spaniard recently as his game has evolved:

"At the same time, it’s a new position for him [playing in midfield] and he has to be able all the time to concentrate more than when you play as a central defender or other positions.

“When you see the game from behind it’s completely different to when you play in the middle and are surrounded. Some movement and patterns are a little bit more difficult that’s why I appreciate a lot what he has done."

The former Barnsley gem has gone on to make 230 appearances for the Citizens, playing a key role in the winning of five Premier League titles, numerous domestic trophies, and most recently a Champions League too.

FBref helps emphasise his stardom too, as when compared to other centre-backs across Europe he ranks in the top 4% for pass completion per 90, the top 11% for progressive passes per 90, and the top 7% for progressive carries per 90.

In Onana, there is certainly enough of a foundation for him to help spearhead Pochettino's side towards similar levels of success, especially given the wealth of talent he would be surrounded by.

After all, starring for a relegation-threatened outfit is no mean feat, and his 6.92 average rating suggested he did so.

Ranked fifth among those who started five or more games in the league, this figure was upheld through an 84% pass accuracy alongside 0.7 key passes, 1.1 interceptions and 2.2 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

Such was his importance to Frank Lampard and later Sean Dyche, his national team boss Roberto Martinez noted him as: "Another unique profile. Someone with such a physical presence and dynamics is needed, just think of Fellaini in 2018. He is also a leader on the field who has taken steps in his career."

Although his career is still in its infancy, should he emulate even half the success that Stones did at City with the west London outfit, Pochettino will be enamoured.

Group C round-up: Smit Patel and Yashpal Singh narrowly miss out on hundreds; Baroda fall, rise and fall again

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Oct-2017Naman Ojha was left to wait until Sunday to get his 21st first-class century, but his unbeaten 99 helped Madhya Pradesh recover from early hiccups and finish on 250 for 5 against Mumbai in Indore. Ojha, who walked in to bat with MP tottering on 15 for 2, strung together an unbeaten century stand with Ankit Sharma, who finished on 63 not out. Debutant pacer Akash Parkar picked up two wickets for Mumbai.Unlike Ojha, Tripura’s Smit Patel and Yashpal Singh won’t walk out on Sunday with a shot at a hundred as both narrowly missed the mark against Tamil Nadu at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Smit and Yashpal rescued Tripura from 41 for 3 by adding 162 for the fourth wicket that took them past 200. But they collapsed thereafter to lose four wickets for 41 runs and finish on 244 for 7.It began with Smit’s dismissal for 99 when he was caught off the offspinner Washington Sundar. Yashpal hung around for another 13 overs, but Tripura clawed, collecting just 29 runs in that time. Yashpal’s vigil ended when he was stumped off India offspinner R Ashwin for 96. Tamil Nadu bowled well collectively, with five of their six bowlers picking up at least a wicket.Kedar Devdhar and Vishnu Solanki’s third-wicket partnership of 134 lifted Baroda from 43 for 2, but they again slid after the partnership was broken to finish on 247 for 7 against Andhra in Vadodara. Devdhar struck 11 fours en route to 93 before his dismissal at the hands of medium pacer Karthik Raman ended the partnership. Solanki, despite grinding it out for 146 balls for his 61, struck four fours and three sixes. Andhra’s bowlers hunted in a pack, and B Ayyappa led them with 3 for 46. Andhra wicketkeeper KS Bharat had a productive day behind the stumps, netting four catches.

The GOAL guide on how to score a bargain in the world of sports streaming

Editors' pick

ESPN+

Sports available: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, tennis, UFC, boxing and more.

Offline downloads: Yes

Entertainment: No

DVR capabilities: No

Monthly from

$9.99

Get ESPN+Cheapest choice

Paramount+

Sports available: NFL, NCAA, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, CONCACAF, Serie A and more.

Offline downloads: Yes

Entertainment: Yes

DVR capabilities: No

Monthly from

$4.99

Get Paramount+Good value

Hulu

Sports available: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, tennis, UFC, boxing and more.

Offline downloads: Yes

Entertainment: No

DVR capabilities: Unlimited w/ Live TV package

Monthly from

$12.99

Get HuluEditors' pick

ESPN+

Sports available: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, tennis, UFC, boxing and more.

Offline downloads: Yes

Entertainment: No

DVR capabilities: No

Monthly from

$9.99

Get ESPN+Cheapest choice

Paramount+

Sports available: NFL, NCAA, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, CONCACAF, Serie A and more.

Offline downloads: Yes

Entertainment: Yes

DVR capabilities: No

Monthly from

$4.99

Get Paramount+Good value

Hulu

Sports available: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, tennis, UFC, boxing and more.

Offline downloads: Yes

Entertainment: No

DVR capabilities: Unlimited w/ Live TV package

Monthly from

$12.99

Get HuluEditors' pick

ESPN+

Sports available: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, tennis, UFC, boxing and more.

Offline downloads: Yes

Entertainment: No

DVR capabilities: No

Monthly from

$9.99

Get ESPN+Cheapest choice

Paramount+

Sports available: NFL, NCAA, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, CONCACAF, Serie A and more.

Offline downloads: Yes

Entertainment: Yes

DVR capabilities: No

Monthly from

$4.99

Get Paramount+Good value

Hulu

Sports available: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, tennis, UFC, boxing and more.

Offline downloads: Yes

Entertainment: No

DVR capabilities: Unlimited w/ Live TV package

Monthly from

$12.99

Get Hulu

Delving into the world of online video streaming services, it's typical to encounter a minefield of information. Increased competition can lead to increased confusion for the customer.

With so many plans, price points, add-ons, bolt-ons, and you name it, you need a digestible guide and luckily GOAL is on hand to help you out!

Through the lens of a sports-specific focus, this list will take you through the major players on the streaming scene. Ordered by cheapest first, we go through where the best value for money is for you and your particular preferences. So, without further adieu…

RELATED: The best streaming services for sports fans

#1. Paramount+ – $5.99 per monthShop Paramount+ plans

At $5.99, Paramount+ offers the cheapest sports subscription service currently on the market. As you might imagine at such a price point, coverage is limited and Paramount+ have so far only dabbled into the sports world via football and soccer.

Paramount+'s American football offering includes the latest from both the NFL as well as the NCAA.

When it comes to soccer, Paramount+ is the home of the UEFA Champions League and several other high profile tournaments across Europe. You can also watch Team USA in action in the CONCACAF Nations League.

RELATED: How to watch live sports on Paramount+: plans, cost, coverage and more

Start a Paramount+ subscription todayFind a plan

#3. ESPN+ – $10.99 per monthFind a plan

Priced at $10.99 per month, you can’t argue with ESPN+ when it comes to value for money. If you’re a fan of one particular sport, there is a good chance that ESPN+ will cover it in one guise or another.

Basketball, baseball, football soccer, UFC, boxing. The list goes on and on. But fair word of warning: some specific events within ESPN+’s sporting coverage is behind a PPV paywall that a standard plan won’t grant you access to.

ESPN+ Annual Plan Discounts

ESPN+ is available for $109.99 for the year. This would give you around a $20 saving if chosen instead of the monthly option – a worthwhile commitment for sports fans who are sure to get more than their money’s worth across 12 months.

RELATED:How to watch live sports on ESPN+: stream live soccer and more

Start an ESPN+ subscription todayFind a plan

#2. Fanatiz -$9.99 per monthGetty Images / GOALFind a plan

Fanatiz do actually have two options cheaper per month but their most popular Front Row Monthly plan is a fairer reflection of their typical price point.

Cheaper plans at Fanatiz – like the Liga1 Play, Brasileirao Play and AFA Play plans only give customers access to one specific soccer league. If, of course, you are a fan of either Peruvian, Brazilian or Argentinian football, then by all means take advantage of their cheapest price offering! A $5.99 per month option – the HandballSCA Plan – is also available

Fanatiz Annual Plan Discounts

All plans at Fanatiz come with a 33% discount when purchased annually. This means the most popular Front Row Annual plan will set you back $79.99 for a 12 month commitment (equivalent to $6.67 per month).

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#4. Hulu – $12.99 per monthGetty Images / GOALFind a plan

Hulu offer perhaps the biggest of price points on the live streaming market. Their Disney Bundle Trio at $12.99, however, is the fairest reflection for this particular list.

While their cheapest price starts at $7.99 per month, it isn’t until you get the bundle that includes ESPN+ as standard where you get value for your money as a sports fan.

At the higher end of their pricing is Hulu + Live TV, and it is here where you get into the territory of some real comprehensive coverage. Among their access to 85 live channels, customers can find live sports on ESPN, FS1, SEC, BTN and ACCN.

Hulu Premium and Live TV Add-ons

Along with everything mentioned above, further add-ons are available to various Hulu plans.

Premium add-ons – which can be tacked on to Hulu plan – include Max ($15.99 per month), Cinemax ($9.99 per month), SHOWTIME ($10.99 per month), STARZ ($9.99 per month).

Soccer fans will be interested to know that Max, the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max, has exclusive coverage to both men’s and women’s Team USA matches.

SHOWTIME, meanwhile, is a word and network that has always gone hand-in-hand with the world of boxing.

The Sports Add-on is priced at an additional $9.99 per month. It is one of four Live TV Add-ons that you can add to any Live TV plan. The Sports Add-on has six on-demand and live streaming services: NFL Redzone.

RELATED:How to watch live sports on Hulu + Live TV

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Australia will have to make do without Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins as they seek to level the series against a confident England at the Gabba

The Preview by Alan Gardner18-Jan-2018Big PictureWith the ease of a Jason Roy whip to midwicket, England cast off their indifferent Ashes form to demolish Australia in the first ODI in Melbourne. Roy’s record-breaking performance, and England’s first win over the hosts since arriving at the start of November, has instantly given a harder edge to what was otherwise shaping as another context-free bilateral bunfight.Steven Smith’s subsequent admission that England currently lead the way in a format they have traditionally accorded second-class status was noteworthy largely for its candour. Australia are the World Cup holders but, on recent form, not among the leading pack when it comes to contesting the trophy in England next year. The ease with which their total of 304 for 8 was reeled in on Sunday was indicative of both their shortcomings with the bat and the efficacy of England’s ultra-aggressive approach.The obvious imperative for Australia to raise their tempo, conceded by David Warner, was then met with a stony response from Jonny Bairstow: “They can go out and copy what we do but it might not work for them … So just saying ‘oh we’re going to try and do that’, that’s something that we’ve been working on for the last 18 months.”To further complicate matter for Smith, a sickness bug has affected the Australia camp, with Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the Gabba ODI and wicketkeeper Tim Paine also struggling; the uncapped Alex Carey has been called up as cover. With Pat Cummins also being rested for this match, Jhye Richardson could be handed a debut.While the vexed matter of Ben Stokes’ winter itinerary continues to preoccupy England, the one-day team is confident enough to strut their stuff without him. Australia were among the nations they were seeking to emulate when they began their 50-over overhaul in 2015; now they are hoping to show there is a distance between the sides.Joe Root and Jason Roy put on a double-century stand•Associated PressForm guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia LLWLL
England WWWWWIn the spotlightAn innocuous debut against England in 2015, in which he scored 4 batting at No. 8 and bowled fourth change, little hinted at what Marcus Stoinis is capable of. In eight ODI innings since then, he has only once been dismissed for less than 42, although his display of controlled aggression in the latter overs at the MCG was not enough to lift Australia up to a par score against a turbo-charged opponent. Still, in a one-day middle order that looks to be in flux, Stoinis perhaps offers a glimpse of Australia’s future.Eoin Morgan is set to captain England in ODIs for a record 70th time and has long since got used to the extra scrutiny that comes his way. He has become a feast-or-famine batsman and, after a productive first half of 2017 in which he scored three hundreds and three fifties in 15 innings up to the semi-final of the Champions Trophy, appears to be flirting with another dip: a lean series against West Indies followed by dismissal for 1 as England looked to finish off their chase in Melbourne. In his favour is the fact no England batsman has scored more ODI runs against Australia.Teams newsHazlewood’s illness and the absence of Cummins means Australia only have 13 fit players, including Carey, to select from. Richardson has played just eight List A games but is capable of pushing the speed gun above 145kph and has international experience, having made his T20 debut last year after impressing in the Big Bash.Australia (probable) 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Travis Head, 5 Mitchell Marsh, 6 Marcus Stoinis, 7 Tim Paine/Alex Carey (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Jhye Richardson, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 AJ TyeEngland have little reason to change the XI from Melbourne, although David Willey or Tom Curran could come into contention if they wanted to add to their bowling options.England (probable) 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Alex Hales, 4 Joe Root, 5 Eoin Morgan (capt), 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Liam Plunkett, 11 Mark WoodPitch and conditionsWarner indicated that Australia were hoping for a surface more suited to their skills in Brisbane, after the “uneven”, grassy offering served up at the MCG. Pace and true bounce are only likely to aid England’s ball-strikers, although over the last five years, the Gabba has actually been the slowest-scoring of Australia’s main grounds. The forecast for Friday is hot and humid, without interruption.Stats and trivia Morgan is set to surpass Alastair Cook as the man to have captained England the most times in ODIs. He also needs 35 runs to overtake Paul Collingwood – currently a member of the coaching staff – as England’s second-highest run-scorer. Australia have only lost once to England in seven ODIs at the Gabba – chasing a revised target in 1999. Four years ago, they won thanks to a last-wicket partnership of 57 between James Faulkner and Clint McKay, of which McKay scored 2. Travis Head is 61 runs short of 1000 in one-day internationals. Liam Plunkett needs one more wicket for 100 in ODIs; Chris Woakes is four shy of the same landmark.Quotes”We’ve seen it all through the summer from both sides, there’s been quite a lot of illness, which is strange … but the guys that are there to come in and potentially take their spot if they need are in great form as well.”
Aaron Finch believes Australia have the strength in depth to cope with absences“I have been asked to open the batting in six games and I have scored two hundreds in those games. It is going to take a bit of time to completely know and understand [opening] but I have been really pleased with how I have started in the role.”

Dani Dyer got the chance to carry a historic Premier League match ball home after seeing partner Jarrod Bowen record a hat-trick for West Ham.

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England international starred against BeesClaimed first hat-trick of his senior careerAll smiles with partner on the way homeWHAT HAPPENED?

England international Bowen was the star of the show for the Hammers as they swept to a 4-2 derby victory over London rivals Brentford. He got David Moyes’ side off to the perfect start when netting twice in the opening seven minutes, before completing his treble just past the hour mark.

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Said hat-trick was the first of Bowen’s senior career, meaning that the match ball he picked up afterwards will always hold a special place in his heart. The 27-year-old forward was, however, happy to let girlfriend Dyer take ownership of his notable memento when heading home from the London Stadium. Former Love Island star Dyer posted a “so proud” message to her beau on Instagram.

InstagramTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Dyer also posted an image to her account of the celebrations that accompanied one of Bowen’s goals against Brentford, with the pair having been together since 2021. She has said of how that coupling came about after a series of DMs: “He slid in mine… however, I did have to give him my number, I can't be doing the DMs for days!”

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WHAT NEXT?

Bowen is now a fan favourite at West Ham, with Dyer figuring prominently in a crude terrace chant that she has had to grow accustomed to hearing whenever she is in attendance at games. The pair are proud parents to twin girls that were born in May 2023.

Stats highlights from the fifth ODI between India and Australia in Vadodara

HR Gopalakrishna and Mathew Varghese11-Oct-2007

Adam Gilchrist had a field day behind the stumps © AFP
Sachin Tendulkar became the second player after Sanath Jayasuriya to play 400 ODIs. Tendulkar becomes the first to play 400 for a national team, as four of Jayasuriya’s 402 matches have not been played in Sri Lanka colours. Adam Gilchrist took six catches during India’s innings, the ninth time a wicketkeeper has taken six dismissals in an ODI. Gilchrist himself has taken six dismissals on five occasions, but this is his first against India. On two of those occasions – including this match – Gilchrist has scored a fifty as well, making him the only keeper to do so. Gilchrist overtook Moin Khan as the wicketkeeper with the most catches against India. Gilchrist’s 59 is one better than Moin’s 58. Mitchell Johnson picked up career-best figures of 5 for 26, which happens to be the 50th time an Australian bowler has taken a five-for in ODIs. Pakistan are the only other team whose bowler have taken 50 five-fors. Johnson’s previous best was the 4 for 11 he took last year against the same opponents in Kuala Lumpur. Johnson joined Chaminda Vaas, Richard Collinge, Bruce Reid and Ashley Giles as the only left-arm bowlers to take five wickets in an ODI against India. Rahul Dravid’s fifth first-ball duck was also his fourth against Australia, joining Javagal Srinath and Kris Srikkanth as the player with most number of ducks in matches between the two sides. Zaheer Khan and RP Singh’s tenth-wicket partnership of 41 is the fourth-best for India and their best against Australia, going past the earlier record of 32 between Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sreesanth in the second ODI of the series in Kochi. India’s total of 148 is their lowest first-innings total at home after their 136 against Sri Lanka in Margao in 1990. It’s also India’s lowest total at home against Australia. Harbhajan Singh became the second Indian spinner to bowl the first over of an innings in an ODI. Rajesh Chauhan has done it thrice previously, in the 1997 ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, the two offspinners haven’t managed to pick up a wicket in those innings. With his unbeaten 79, Gilchrist became the highest run-getter for Australia against India. Gilchrist is two runs shy of 1500 runs against India, while Ricky Ponting has 1462. The victory margin of nine wickets and with 145 balls to spare is also India’s worst defeat – both in terms of wickets remaining and balls to spare – against Australia at home.