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O Palmeiras amargou o vice-campeonato da Libertadores Feminina ao ser derrotado pelo Corinthians por 1 a 0, e a atacante Bia Zaneratto lamentou as chances perdidas pelas Palestrinas contra as Brabas.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalÉ tetra! Corinthians vence o Palmeiras e é campeão da Libertadores FemininaFutebol Nacional21/10/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras bate São Paulo e conquista o bicampeonato do Brasileiro Sub-17Palmeiras21/10/2023PalmeirasLeila Pereira viaja pra Cali para acompanhar o Palmeiras na final da Libertadores FemininaPalmeiras21/10/2023

+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

– Faltou fazer o gol, simplesmente isso. Infelizmente elas tiveram uma chance, fizeram o gol e a gente não foi eficiente dessa forma. Acho que a gente tentou de tudo, tentou cruzar a bola, chutar, finalizar, infelizmente elas fizeram o gol, a gente ficou com a posse e não entrou. É difícil falar qualquer coisa agora. A gente tentou, mas a bola não entrou – disse a atacante palmeirense após a final.

O Corinthians viu a zagueira Tarciane ser expulsa aos 20 minutos do segundo tempo, e o Palmeiras empilhou chances na reta final, mas as Palestrinas pararam na goleira Lelê, que fez dois milagres nos acréscimos.

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+ Quais são os maiores campeões da Libertadores Feminina?

Com a derrota, o Palmeiras perde a chance de ser bicampeão da Libertadores e vê as rivais faturarem a Libertadores Feminina pela quarta vez.

It’s not even November yet, and Nottingham Forest have already gone through two managers in quick succession.

The ever enigmatic and controversial Evangelos Marinakis must have thought that results would instantly turn when ditching Nuno Espirito Santo for Ange Postecoglou, but after his disastrous 39 days at the helm pushed the Tricky Trees further into the relegation spaces in the Premier League, the former Tottenham Hotspur boss ended up being brutally dismissed.

Now, it’s Sean Dyche’s turn to come in and – hopefully – be a safe pair of hands at the City Ground, with a 2-0 victory over Porto on his managerial debut last time out in the Europa League instantly calming any jitters.

It’s the bread and butter of the Premier League that next awaits the ex-Burnley boss as a tough away trip to AFC Bournemouth beckons, with Oleksandr Zinchenko potentially being out injured for this journey to the South Coast, after hobbling off mid-week.

Even if he wasn’t in the treatment room, his starting spot might well have been at risk…

Why Zinchenko is likely to be dropped

It does sound as if the four-time Premier League title winner will be touch-and-go surrounding his availability right up until the teams are announced later today.

If there are any lingering doubts, Dyche won’t feel too uncomfortable in throwing Nicolo Savona into the first-team mix in his place, with the 22-year-old summer recruit from Juventus sticking out as a positive influence against Porto on Thursday night, when replacing the injury-stricken Ukrainian.

Ultimately, the number 37 would ensure a 2-0 win was secured against Porto, when a rare foray forward from the Italian would result in a penalty kick being given, which was then coolly dispatched to hand Dyche a debut win in the dug-out.

The former Juventus youngster will surely fancy his chances of retaining a first-team spot, therefore, with all 100% of his duels being successfully won, too, further showing off a defender that’s content at doing the dirty work, which Dyche, who is known to be an attritional manager in style, will love.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

To make matters worse for his ex-Manchester City counterpart, Zinchenko has already picked up three defeats donning Garibaldi Red from just six appearances, with his new manager also potentially preparing to axe this other Forest figure, even though the attacker in question impressed in the Europa League.

Dyche could ruthlessly drop "incredible" star

Although their Premier League form has fallen off a cliff, Forest have looked far more at home in European competitions this season, with a win and a draw collected from their opening three clashes in the Europa League.

They have Igor Jesus to also thank for that confidence-boosting win being secured against Porto, with the Brazilian now up to three goals exclusively in this competition for his new employers, on top of also collecting a brace in the EFL Cup when Postecoglou was still around.

Games played

7

Minutes played

146 mins

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

However, despite Jesus living up to his billing as an “incredible” finisher of chances – that was once handed to him by journalist Zach Lowy – up against the likes of the Portuguese giants, he remains without a goal in the Premier League, with Dyche perhaps wary that the number 19 could fold in front of goal again if he’s retained for the away day at the Cherries.

In Jesus’ defence, he is yet to be handed a start in the daunting division, but after hitting the woodwork against Chelsea from a 45-minute cameo, which also saw him win just one duel, Dyche might well opt to start Taiwo Awoniyi in his place instead, who at least has 17 Premier League goals next to his name, away from being frozen out of the side under previous regimes.

In an even more ideal reality, the 54-year-old could have Chris Wood back available for this tie on the South Coast – having sat out the clash versus Porto through injury – with the New Zealand workhorse already amassing 53 goals under Dyche’s watchful eye when the pair were together at Burnley, per Transfermarkt.

It does look like a bold call from the outside looking in, considering Jesus ensured Dyche’s start at Forest was a victorious one. But, with his ropey Premier League record to date, and other options at the Forest boss’ disposal who could cause Bournemouth more issues, the South American might well drop out of the XI alongside Zinchenko.

Dyche plotting shock January Nottingham Forest raid for "magic" £20m forward

The Forest boss is looking to strengthen his forward line.

1 ByDominic Lund Oct 23, 2025

Sunderland returned to the Premier League this season with a summer that made the rest of the league sit up and take notice.

Backed by ambitious ownership, the Black Cats spent £141.5m, just short of Nottingham Forest’s record spend for a newly promoted side in 2022.

It was a bold statement that they intend to survive the drop.

Habib Diarra arrived from Strasbourg to add dynamism in midfield, Simon Adingra was snapped up from Brighton, while Chemsidine Talbi and Noah Sadiki joined from Belgium.

Perhaps the most eye-catching additions were Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen and Nordi Mukiele from PSG.

Both players who bring Champions League experience and leadership to a youthful squad. That recruitment drive quickly paid dividends.

A raucous Stadium of Light saw Sunderland sweep aside West Ham 3-0 on the opening day.

Reality bit a week later with a 2-0 defeat away to Burnley, but Régis Le Bris’ side bounced back.

A last-gasp Wilson Isidor strike secured a 2-1 win over Brentford before a disciplined 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace earned another valuable point.

The Black Cats host Aston Villa next, with the fanbase buzzing at the idea that this side might just be capable of more than survival.

For many, the excitement brings back memories of one man: Asamoah Gyan, the Ghanaian forward who lit up the Stadium of Light during his brief but memorable spell.

Asamoah Gyan – Sunderland’s Premier League icon

When Sunderland signed Gyan from Stade Rennais in 2010 for a then-club record £13m, expectations were high.

The Ghanaian had already proven himself in Ligue 1 with 14 goals and five assists in 53 appearances and had enhanced his reputation on the international stage, scoring freely for the Black Stars.

Gyan wasted no time making his mark, scoring on his debut against Wigan Athletic. His flair made him an instant fan favourite.

Sunderland supporters will never forget his role in the club’s famous 3-0 victory away at Chelsea, nor the dramatic 94th-minute equaliser in the Tyne-Wear derby that denied Newcastle a double over their fiercest rivals.

Though his stay was short – 11 goals in 37 appearances before a lucrative move to Al-Ain in the UAE – Gyan’s impact was lasting.

At Sunderland, he remains a symbol of what a talismanic striker can do for the club. Lift the team, energise the fans, and turn matches on their head.

Fourteen years on, supporters may finally have reason to believe they’ve found a modern version of Gyan in their new Dutch centre-forward.

Brian Brobbey can be Sunderland’s modern-day Gyan

When Brian Brobbey swapped Ajax for Sunderland in a deal worth up to £21 million, eyebrows were raised.

Here was a 23-year-old striker and “natural born killer”, as per talent scout Jacek Kulig, with a proven record in the Eredivisie – 56 goals and 24 assists in 163 appearances – opting to take the next step in his career on Wearside.

For Sunderland, it was their 13th signing of a hectic summer but arguably the most significant.

A two-time Eredivisie winner with Ajax, Brobbey also boasts international experience with the Netherlands, having earned eight caps so far.

Like Gyan before him, he arrives with pedigree and hunger, eager to prove himself in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

The timing of his move was crucial. Sunderland had been forced into the market after Chelsea recalled Marc Guiu as cover for Liam Delap.

Brobbey was identified not only as a replacement but as a forward who could spearhead the club’s attack for years to come.

A centre-forward “goal machine”, in the words of Kulig, his numbers speak for themselves.

Brian Brobbey – 2024/25
Matches Played	30
Goals	4
Assists	3
Progressive Carries	18
Progressive Passes	19
Source: FBref

Brobbey ranks in the 93rd percentile for non-penalty expected goals (0.61 per 90), the 94th percentile for shot-creating actions (3.53 per 90), and the 99th percentile for assists (0.50 per 90).

He also offers physical presence, winning aerial duels at an impressive rate and pressing defenders relentlessly.

Stylistically, he has been compared to Nick Woltemade, Marcus Thuram, and Nicolas Jackson, as per FBref – all forwards who blend power with mobility.

Yet for Sunderland fans, the more exciting comparison is with Gyan.

Like the Ghanaian, Brobbey thrives on sharp movement in the box, intelligent link-up play, and an ability to score crucial goals.

If he can replicate even half of Gyan’s impact in red and white, Brobbey could become a cult hero on Wearside.

And unlike Gyan, who departed after just one season, Sunderland will hope their Dutch striker sticks around long enough to build a legacy of his own.

Le Bris could unleash his own Mateta in Sunderland's “one man machine”

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Kelan Sarson

Sep 13, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now ready to make a January offer for a midfield “artist”, who is also being targeted by Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

Wolves still not off the mark in the Premier League

It has been a torrid start to the Premier League season for Wolves, who remained bottom of the table after a very disappointing 3-1 home defeat against newly-promoted Leeds United last weekend.

Vitor Pereira’s side are the only top flight club yet to pick up a single point this season, but there has been some respite in the EFL Cup, having reached the fourth round, after progressing past West Ham United and, most recently, Everton.

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There were some promising signs on Wednesday night, with the Old Gold defeating the Toffees 2-0 at Molineux, courtesy of goals from Marshall Munetsi and Tolu Arokodare, and the manager remains confident his players have the ability to turn things around.

Pereira said: “The work I watch everyday in training is hard work and this is a group who work a lot, they compete and want to be at a better level. We’re just missing the results because the players have quality.”

If things do not improve, however, and their Premier League status is on the line, Wolves may have to inject some fresh quality into the squad during the January transfer window, and they are now looking to sign Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli.

That is according to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), which states the Old Gold are now ready to make an offer for Locatelli as soon as January, although there will be competition from some of their Premier League rivals.

West Ham United and Aston Villa are also prepared to make bids of their own, and there are signs a deal could be possible, with the Serie A side considering sanctioning a departure, although it is unclear what sort of fee they would be looking for.

"Artist" Locatelli could play major role in Wolves securing survival

Even though we are just five games into the new Premier League season, it is already starting to look like Wolves’ main goal this season will be to simply avoid the drop, and the £103k-a-week Juventus maestro could take Pereira’s midfield to the next level.

An established Italy international, with 32 caps to his name, the 27-year-old has plenty of top-level experience, having made 22 Champions League appearances, and he is very highly rated by scout Ben Mattinson.

Not only is the midfielder comfortable in possession, but he is also solid defensively, as shown by his performance in some key statistics over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

2.78 (84th percentile)

Blocks

1.96 (97th percentile)

Clearances

2.72 (92nd percentile)

Locatelli could be an excellent signing for Wolves, but it is questionable whether a player of his quality would be interested in moving to a relegation-threatened side.

With Vitor Pereira aiming to add the final touches to his side before the transfer window slams shut, Wolverhampton Wanderers are now reportedly leading the race to sign a Barcelona gem this month.

Their opening day defeat at the hands of Manchester City highlighted a number of problem areas for Wolves. Whilst there were little expectations against Pep Guardiola’s serial winners who have spent big once again this summer, Pereira’s squad looked alarmingly thin throughout.

Since that defeat, the Midlands club have – to their credit – welcomed Jackson Tchatchoua from Hellas Verona in an attempt to replace Nelson Semedo and hand their backline a much-needed boost. But there’s undoubtedly still work to be done as deadline day approaches.

The defender is keen to get going too, telling Wolves’ official website: “I feel good. I feel happy to be here and I’m excited. I spoke a little bit with the coach, but I’ll speak more. The Premier League is one of my dreams and it’s one step that I want to do in my life, and also the history of the club, the stadium, the fans, this convinced me.”

With a trip to face Bournemouth awaiting this weekend, the new arrival could have the chance to make his Wolves debut just days after putting pen to paper in a game that must see marked improvement from Pereira’s side.

Pereira's very own Neves: Wolves plotting £26m move for "total leader"

Wolverhampton Wanderers could win Vitor Pereira his own Ruben Neves by signing this £26m ace.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 21, 2025

Meanwhile, now that Tchatchoua has officially arrived, Wolves have reportedly turned their attention towards the likes of Girona’s Ladislav Krejci and Christantus Uche. Rumours have even gone as far as to suggest that they’ve made an offer worth £26m to sign Krejci, whilst also setting their sights on another La Liga talent.

Wolves now in pole position to sign Casado

According to Sport Italia journalist Gianluigi Longari, as relayed by Sport Witness, Wolves are now in pole position to sign Marc Casado and are willing to go all out to sign the Barcelona midfielder.

The Spanish giants reportedly value the 21-year-old at just €30m (£26m), sparking a race between Wolves, West Ham United and Bournemouth to secure his signature this month.

In a hectic race which now also includes Marseille, Wolves are reportedly pushing hardest to welcome the young Spaniard in what would hand Pereira an instant upgrade in possession compared to his current options at Molineux.

Minutes

2,472

1,611

Progressive Passes P90

3.96

5.98

Tackles Won P90

2

1.4

Ball Recoveries P90

7.05

5.03

Although Andre is effective out of possession, Casado would hand Wolves far more control in the middle of the park to almost replicate the job that Ruben Neves did for so many years in the Midlands.

Dubbed a “wonderful talent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Casado would be an excellent addition to Pereira’s side. Whether Wolves manage to fend off the competition from both Marseille and their Premier League rivals to sign the Barcelona gem remains to be seen, however.

While the results and honours haven’t always followed, West Ham United have always been a team that can boast a genuine superstar or two in their side.

A few years ago, it was Declan Rice who was grabbing the headlines for the Hammers and representing them in a Euros final for England.

Nowadays, it’s Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta who are the standouts in the team, with the latter making it very clear he wants to remain in East London with his celebration against Nottingham Forest.

However, before either he or Rice had made their names in Claret and Blue, there was an exciting prospect who looked like an even bigger talent than both.

Rice & Paqueta's West Ham careers

Now, there may still be some ill feelings about where Rice moved on to a couple of years ago, but it would be impossible to deny that he gave an awful lot to West Ham over his time with the club.

He made his senior debut for the club against Burnley in 2017 and went on to make 245 appearances for the club, totalling an astonishing 20,580 minutes.

Despite playing in defensive midfield and even at the back at times, the Englishman managed to score 15 goals and provide 13 assists for the Hammers during his time in East London.

Moreover, he captained the club to Conference League glory in his final game – an achievement that has enshrined him in the club’s history books forever.

Paqueta, on the other hand, only joined the Irons from Lyon in the summer of 2022, but has still played a massive role at the club.

He was also part of the team that secured the Hammers’ European glory, and has amassed an impressive tally of 21 goals and 14 assists in 124 games.

However, for as brilliant as Rice and Paqueta are, there was an academy gem who, a decade ago, was being looked at as an even bigger talent, but is not without a club.

The West Ham gem without a club

Cast your minds back to the distant year of 2015 and West Ham’s Premier League opener away to Arsenal.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

It was a game to forget for the hosts, but a memorable win for the travelling Irons, and one youngster in particular: Reece Oxford.

It was the then 16-year-old’s competitive debut, and instead of making a fool of himself against a pretty stacked Gunners side, he looked incredible and practically pocketed a prime Mesut Özil.

It was a performance that more than turned heads, with then-manager Slaven Bilic proclaiming afterward that the youngster “has everything.”

Later on, the Croatian would tell the press that, at the time, “I couldn’t move around the place without hearing that Reece Oxford was going to be the next big thing.”

Moreover, in an interview with The Athletic, former West Ham trainee Lewis Page revealed that during his early days, Rice was unsure if he’d get a scholarship as Oxford “was the main talent at centre-back, and I’m not sure if the club thought Dec was good enough to play in midfield.”

Unfortunately, the former Hammers gem didn’t go on to become a world-beater, and after several loans, he left the club with just 17 appearances to his name to join Augsburg in the summer of 2019.

Augsburg

80

3

2

West Ham

17

0

0

Mönchengladbach

8

0

0

Reading

5

0

0

Things went reasonably well for the youngster out in Germany for a while, but persistent injuries followed with a severe case of long COVID that prevented him from really kicking on.

In all, the 26-year-old made 80 appearances for the club, but his last senior professional game was all the way back in November 2022, and he’s been without a club since July 1st of this year.

Ultimately, while Oxford was never able to live up to the hype, he did carve out a decent career for himself in the Bundesliga, and we can only hope he finds himself a new team soon.

West Ham now join the race to sign £60m star who was a major Spurs target

The Hammers are keen to bring in a “sensational” player, who was a key summer target for Tottenham Hotspur.

ByDominic Lund Sep 3, 2025

Deal is set to make London-based club the most valuable in the Hundred

Matt Roller and Nagraj Gollapudi31-Jan-2025English cricket has landed a multi-million pound windfall after a Silicon Valley tech consortium won a bidding war with the Sanjiv Goenka-owned RPSG Group for a 49% stake in London Spirit, the Hundred team based at Lord’s.The winning bid made by the consortium, headed by Nikesh Arora of Palo Alto Networks, valued the Spirit at £295 million, more than twice the price paid by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for Oval Invincibles on Thursday. It means they will pay £144.55m for a 49% stake in the Spirit, with MCC intending to retain its position as majority shareholder.The price is more than double the floor valuation set for London Spirit based on investors’ indicative bids and represents a significant injection of funds into English cricket. The revenue raised in the sales process will be split between the 18 first-class counties, MCC and the recreational game and is designed to “future-proof” county cricket for the next 20 years. RPSG Group is understood to have quit the race at the £292 million mark.The consortium – under the name Cricket Investor Holdings Limited – includes Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Shantanu Narayen and Egon Durban, the CEOs of Google, Microsoft, Adobe and Silver Lake Management respectively, as well as Arora and Satyan Gajwani, who is one of the co-founders of the US-based Major League Cricket and vice-chairman of Times Internet, the Indian digital giant.It is understood that the consortium’s bid was spearheaded by Arora and Gajwani, after they were among the last investors to enter the race. ESPNcricinfo understands that there are 11 individuals involved in the consortium in total, five of whom are yet to be named publicly.Related

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Mark Nicholas, MCC’s chairman, told members on Friday evening: “We are delighted to have found partners who share our values and understand the power and mystique of Lord’s. We look forward to building on the happy relationship we have already established over the past few weeks.”Nicholas said that there had been “remarkable interest” from investors, and wrote: “Today’s announcement shows what we as Members have always known: our Club is special. It’s why people want to be involved with us. I hope that all Members are as proud as I am and excited at the opportunities that lie ahead.”Goenka, whose company RPSG Group run Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, was considered the favourite to buy a stake in the Spirit but was beaten in a three-hour bidding war on Friday afternoon, which lasted so long that the start time for the same process at Welsh Fire – which was later won by the owner of Washington Freedom – was delayed by an hour.Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group pulled out of the race at a £292m valuation•SportzpicsAvram Glazer, the co-owner of Manchester United, and Cain International, who are run by Chelsea director Jonathan Goldstein, were also involved in the auction process on Friday afternoon but pulled out early on. It is thought that what one source described as “the Lord’s factor” played a significant role in the unexpectedly high price for the Spirit.The consortium will now enter into a period of exclusive negotiations with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the host venue’s owner, and complete an agreement in the eight-week window set by ECB from the completion of the final round of the bidding process. MCC has maintained throughout that it intends to retain its 51% share in the franchise.The Spirit are defending champions in the women’s Hundred, with England captain Heather Knight leading them to their inaugural title last year and India’s Deepti Sharma hitting the winning runs in the final. Their men’s team, by contrast, have only won three games in the last two Hundred seasons, and finished bottom in 2024.RPSG Group are now expected to refocus their attention to Manchester Originals next week, having held detailed meetings with Lancashire over the past nine months. RIL were also understood to be on the shortlist for the Originals but are out of the running after buying a stake in Oval Invincibles.

Thomas Frank has confirmed that Randal Kolo Muani could make his Tottenham debut against Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday. The forward joined the club on loan from Juventus on deadline day and is currently awaiting his debut. Now, Frank has confirmed that the France international is fit, although he has questioned his ability to play with intensity.

Kolo Muani debut incoming?

Spurs signed the France international on deadline day, with the forward on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The attacker scored 11 goals in 54 games for the Ligue 1 club, and will now be aiming to hit the back of the net with regularity in north London. 

AdvertisementGetty ImagesSpurs kicking off CL season

Spurs are preparing for a return to European football's top table after winning the Europa League last season. However, Dominic Solanke has failed to train before the game, meaning Richarlison is the only other centre-forward option, given Mathys Tel has not been registered in the squad for Europe. 

Can Kolo Muani cope?

Kolo Muani's fitness has somewhat been questioned by Frank, who told reporters:"If we needed him to play, he could play 90 minutes, but can he play at the intensity and the level that we want? But he's ready and he'll be involved tomorrow, so that's the most important thing."

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AFPWho do Spurs have next?

After playing Villarreal to kick off their Champions League campaign, Spurs head to Brighton in the Premier League. They have won three of their first four games in the league.

The in-form Josh Inglis steadied Western Australia alongside Cooper Connolly

Tristan Lavalette21-Oct-2024

Josh Inglis continued his strong start to the season•Getty Images

Opener Cameron Bancroft’s bid for a Test recall took a hit after a third consecutive failure to start the Sheffield Shield season. But in-form Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly rescued Western Australia out of trouble against Tasmania late on day two at the WACA.Replying to Tasmania’s first innings of 277, Bancroft made just 8 before nicking off to seamer Kieran Elliott in the sixth over. WA slumped further when captain Sam Whiteman and Mitchell Marsh fell cheaply.Related

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An aggressive Hilton Cartwright raced to a half-century by tea, but he didn’t re-emerge after the interval as he dashed to be at the birth of his second child. He could still bat on day three, but is believed to require approval from the match umpire and Tasmania to continue his innings.Allrounder Aaron Hardie fell on the first over after tea as Tasmania edged ahead before Inglis turned the match on its head much like he did with a century in the season opener against Queensland.Inglis made it look easy under the shadows as he raced to a half-century off 57 balls. He found good support from Connolly as they combined for an unbroken 119-run partnership to turn the tide as WA set their sights on a handy first innings lead.After Tasmania were bowled out at the stroke of lunch, the spotlight firmly shone on Bancroft at the resumption. With the surface appearing to be flattening and as Perth’s famous sunshine emerged after a rain-interrupted first day, Bancroft eyed a big score to ignite his Test candidacy after making a pair against Queensland.Bancroft was tested immediately by quick Riley Meredith and unable to get off the mark from his first nine deliveries. The pressure was building before he scored his first runs of the Shield season in streaky fashion when he slashed Meredith past third slip.He hit a more controlled boundary through point on the next delivery, but could not kick on after shuffling across his stumps to edge a back of a length delivery from Elliott, who soon had Whiteman caught behind for 13.Marsh entered in strong form after a powerful 94 in the second innings against Queensland. For the second straight match he is playing as a specialist batter at No. 4. Marsh had publicly stated that he would build his loads in this match ahead of next month’s first Test, but his bowling return is being put on hold for now.Marsh started watchfully before hitting a gorgeous straight drive to the boundary off seamer Mitch Owen. But Marsh had a rush of blood on the next delivery as he mistimed a short delivery straight to deep square leg. He immediately started walking off after realising he had thrown away his wicket.Owen had earlier led a recovery for Tasmania after blasting 69 from 60 balls at No. 8. Tasmania were in major trouble at 190 for 8 before Owen combined with Matt Kuhnemann for a ninth wicket partnership of 87.Offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli, fresh off being selected for Australia A, finally ended Owen’s entertaining knock before dismissing Meredith on the next delivery to finish with 4 for 70 from 24.3 overs.Recruit Brody Couch was the pick of the quicks with 3 for 33 off 17 overs in a lively performance where he reached speeds of 143kph.Hardie did not enter the attack in the morning session having bowled six overs on the opening day as he works his way back from a quad injury that ruled him out of the match against Queensland.

Their series win against NZ allows Sri Lanka to ponder the prospect of a WTC final berth next year

Madushka Balasuriya29-Sep-2024Sri Lanka’s dominant series win against New Zealand has been one to savour not just for the way they won the second Test but also because it allows, even fleetingly, for them to ponder the prospect of a World Test Championship [WTC] final berth next year.As things stand Sri Lanka are placed third behind Australia and India on the WTC points table, but only 6.94 percentage points behind second-placed Australia, with a home tour against them to come in this cycle.Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who has navigated Sri Lanka to their best year in Tests since 2006, is not getting too far ahead of himself. Before that Australia series, the next port of call for the Test side will be in South Africa in November-December.Related

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“We’re only looking at it from one match to another,” Dhananjaya said when asked about his side’s WTC final prospects. “If you look too far ahead you can miss out on what’s immediately important.”It’s what I always tell the young players as well, if you do what’s required from one match to another, then what needs to happen in the points table will take care of itself.”Among those young players is Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya’s junior back in their school days at Richmond College who has fast become an integral part of the Test side.

“The decision was taken at the right time because we all know that in Galle batting in the last hour is quite difficult. And I think it’s because of that decision that we were able to bowl them out the following morning.”Kamindu Mendis on de Silva declaring when he was 182 not out

But despite that years-old connection, there was no room for sentiment when Dhananjaya called for a first-innings declaration with Kamindu 18 short of a maiden double century. Asked if he had been tempted to continue through till Kamindu reached the milestone, de Silva explained that it was not a decision he would take if it meant impacting the team negatively.”More than Kamindu’s double hundred, I wanted Kusal Mendis to get a hundred because he hadn’t scored one in quite some time,” he said. “But once we got to that point in the match, I think that was the best decision to take.”Kamindu, who sat beside his captain at the post-match press briefing, was quick to back up his skipper when questioned on the same.”We had put a big total on the board, even at lunch I had 136. So the plan even then was to score a little bit more and then put them into bat,” Kamindu said. “I think the decision was taken at the right time because we all know that in Galle batting in the last hour is quite difficult. And I think it’s because of that decision that we were able to bowl them out the following morning.”Nishan Peiris finished with nine wickets in his debut Test•APWith two wickets picked up in the dying minutes of day two, Sri Lanka rolled New Zealand over for 88 on the third morning to all but guarantee the win. A bulk of the damage in the game was done by another youngster, Nishan Peiris.The 27-year-old offspinner who was making his debut ended up with nine wickets in a stellar first Test outing, and Dhananjaya revealed it was his particular skillset that bolstered the team following a hard-fought first Test.”Nishan had bowled really well in domestic cricket for quite some time, and what I had stressed on was to bring in a bowler that could keep the economy rate low, especially on a turning track,” Dhananjaya said. “That’s how you put pressure on the opposition, with Prabath [Jayasuriya] at the other end. And I think he did his job excellently in this game.”With six Test wins this year, Sri Lanka have moved up to fifth in the Test rankings. For Dhananjaya, this has been reward for the work the side has put in, and the bench strength they’ve developed.”I have been part of the side for six years and we’ve always wanted to come up in rankings but we tried and failed,” he said. “We just couldn’t get the right team makeup, but we have got it right now. And now we also have combinations that can work on any surface, both at home and overseas.”