"أنت عار".. أحمد المحمدي يوجه رسالة نارية إلى كاراجر بسبب محمد صلاح

شن أحمد المحمدي، لاعب أستون فيلا السابق، هجومًا قويًا على جيمي كاراجر، محلل قنوات سكاي سبورتس بعد تصريحاته الهجومية تجاه محمد صلاح، نجم ليفربول.

وخرج صلاح بعد انتهاء مباراة ليدز يونايتد وتحدث لوسائل الإعلام وفتح النار على الجميع، وعلى رأسهم مدربه آرني سلوت، بسبب جلوسه على دكة البدلاء لثلاث مباريات متتالية.

بعد تلك التصريحات، انهالت على صلاح تعليقات اللاعبين القدامى والمحللين الإنجليز وانتقدوا حديثه بشدة وعلى رأسهم جيمي كاراجر.

وقال المحمدي، عبر حسابه الرسمي على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إكس”: “صحيح يا جيمي، أنت عار، أعاد صلاح كتابة قصته بالكامل من خلال العمل الجاد والتواضع وأدائه العالمي”.

اقرأ أيضًا | كاراجر يقسو على محمد صلاح: لم تفز بأي بطولة مع مصر.. وليفربول جعل منك نجمًا

وأكمل: “صلاح لم يفشل في تشيلسي، لم تُمنح له الفرصة أبدًا، ذهب إلى إيطاليا، وأعاد بناء نفسه، ثم جاء إلى ليفربول وأصبح، أسطورة في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، أعظم لاعب في تاريخ مصر، أحد أكثر المهاجمين ثباتًا في جيله”.

وأردف: “حمل صلاح مصر لسنوات، وتأهلت مصر لكأس العالم مرتين بعد فترة طويلة، استحق صلاح كل شيء”.

واستطرد: “ليس غريبًا أن كريستيانو رونالدو تجاهلك، ليس غريبًا أن ميسي انتقدك، ليس غريبًا أن مورينيو قال إنك أقل من المتوسط، ولست حتى من بين أفضل 1000 مدافع في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز”.

CRB derrota o Bahia nos pênaltis e está na final da Copa do Nordeste

MatériaMais Notícias

O CRB superou o Bahia por 8 a 7 nos pênaltis, após 0 a 0 no tempo normal, neste domingo (26), na Arena Fonte Nova, pela semifinal da Copa do Nordeste. Com o resultado, o Galo está classificado para a decisão e encara o Fortaleza em dois jogos.

➡️ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

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⚽ COMO FOI A PARTIDA?
Bahia e CRB fizeram um primeiro tempo muito equilibrado na Fonte Nova. O time alagoano começou melhor, mas aos poucos o Esquadrão de Aço foi controlando a posse de boa e acalmou o jogo. No entanto, as dificuldades da equipe de Rogério Ceni para criar era visíveis. Na segunda etapa, o Tricolor teve boas chances, sobretudo com Cauly e Arias, mas não conseguiu marcar.

A vaga na final da Copa do Nordeste foi, então, decidida nos pênaltis. Após oito cobranças de cada lado, o CRB levou a melhor, após defesa do goleiro Matheus Albino em chute de Caio Alexandre, o único a despediçar na disputa.

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➡️ Fortaleza atropela Sport e está na final da Copa do Nordeste

📅 O QUE VEM POR AÍ?
O Bahia visita o Atlético-MG na Arena MRV no próximo domingo (2), às 16h, pela sétima rodada do Brasileirão. Por sua vez, o CRB vai até Campinas para encarar a Ponte Preta no sábado (1º), no Estádio Moisés Lucarelli, pela oitava rodada da Série B.

Tudo sobre

BahiaCopa do NordesteCRB

Oilers Announcer Mistakenly Crowns Blue Jays As World Series Champs on Broadcast

Game 7 of the World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers had sports fans across two countries biting their nails into the wee hours of the night.

Some of those baseball fans happened to still be enjoying other sports while keeping an eye on the game. Such was the case for fans of the Edmonton Oilers, who were watching their team take on the Blackhawks while also, presumably, tracking Game 7 on their phones and across in-arena televisions.

But this split attention can lead to some extremely difficult moments, especially when the game you’re watching on mute in the background in tied in the ninth inning with a championship on the line. Across the arena at Rogers Place—a four-hour flight or 32-hour drive away from the Rogers Centre in Toronto—a swell of cheering fans took to their feet after a close play at home in the bottom of the ninth inning briefly looked like it might have brought a championship to Canadian baseball for the first time since 1993.

The cheer was so great that the announcers calling the game on television called the Blue Jays champions, before quickly needing to rescind the title.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, not only was that not the championship-winning play, but the Blue Jays would ultimately fall to the Dodgers in extra innings.

Baseball fans will never forget where they were watching the Dodgers win the 2025 World Series. For a select few Oilers fans, they’ll never forget when the Blue Jays briefly won the 2025 World Series too.

Arsenal reportedly interest in Juventus star Kenan Yildiz ahead of January window amid rival Real Madrid interest and contract hold-up

Premier League leaders Arsenal are ready to rival Real Madrid in the transfer race for Kenan Yildiz in the January window amid his contract hold-up at Juventus. The Bianconeri's contract talks with their star attacker have hit a standstill as Yildiz is demanding a significant pay rise in his new deal, which is far beyond the Italian club’s current offer.

Yildiz's dip in form as contract talks stall

After an exciting 2024-25 campaign in Turin, where he scored 12 goals across all competitions, Yildiz was being tipped to become a major figure in the club's attack in the years to come. He started the new season by providing three assists and scoring a goal in his first three Serie A matches, but then experienced a sudden dip in form. In the 2025-26 campaign, Yildiz has produced five goals and as many assists in 18 matches across all competitions as the Bianconeri struggle in the seventh position in the Serie A table. Yildiz's drop in form comes at a time when he is negotiating a new contract with the Serie A giants, although the talks have come to a standstill. 

The Turkey international signed a long-term deal in August 2024, which runs until 2029, following a breakthrough but the need to renew it again was felt by the club after other European giants showed interest in the player. Yildiz’s current contract earns him around €1.5 million a year, a figure dwarfed by Dusan Vlahovic’s €12 million and far below the salaries of Europe’s elite young talents. 

According to , Yildiz's camp is now demanding a raise into the €5-6 million range, which reflects his growing profile and market value. Juventus, however, deem the request too steep. Giorgio Chiellini, Juventus' director of football strategy, recently summed up the mood at the club as he said: "Yildiz renewal? Calm down. Calm down. Everyone has the will: with balance and calm, everything can be done." 

AdvertisementGetty ImagesArsenal show concrete interest in Yildiz

Amid the contract stand-off, Premier League giants Arsenal have a concrete interest in the 20-year-old and are ready to contact Juventus over a possible transfer in the transfer window, which opens next month. 

Speaking to , Italian journalist Gianni Balzarini said: "There’s been real contact with Arsenal, that is, Arsenal have asked for information, it’s part of the game, there’s no negotiation, let’s be clear, but they have asked for information about this player who, in my opinion, could also do very well in the Premier League. Given his physical and technical characteristics, and so it’s clear that after all this atmosphere here, a sort of halo is forming around the boy, the player who, for his part, I also understand, may claim the need to play in a better team."  

Arsenal to face competition from Chelsea and Real Madrid

Other than the Gunners, their Premier League rivals Chelsea, are among the top contenders to target the youngster. The Blues reportedly made a €67 million (£59m/$77.5m) bid for Yildiz last July, which was turned down, but they remain interested and are expected to return next summer. Real Madrid are also monitoring the situation closely. Reports in Spain suggest Yildiz’s price tag could exceed €100m (£88m/$116m) if a bidding war breaks out between the three clubs next summer.

In October, Los Blancos coach Xabi Alonso had publicly expressed his admiration for Yildiz, as the Spaniard said: "[Juventus] have very good players, and Yildiz is one of them. He's had a fantastic development. I know him. He was at Bayern Munich when I was there. Seeing his progress makes me very happy." 

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Getty ImagesYildiz told to move to the Premier League

Yildiz’s former Juventus colleague Nicolo Savona, who is now at Nottingham Forest, recently advised the attacker to consider joining him in England as he weighed up his next move. "I would recommend the Premier League to all the kids who love football; it would be difficult to say otherwise. So also to Kenan and any of his teammates," Savona told Gazzetta.

Juventus will be back in action in the Serie A on Sunday as they take on reigning champions Napoli in an exciting encounter away from home.  

Celtic’s “player of the year” could play in a new role under Wilfried Nancy

Martin O’Neill’s time in charge of Celtic couldn’t have gone much better really.

The legendary manager saw his beat their Old Firm rivals, reach a cup final and draw level with Hearts at the top of the SPFL table.

It took the Hoops a while to find their new manager but they finally have their man in the form of Wilfried Nancy who arrives following a stint in MLS.

That said, for those at Parkhead, chiefly Liam Scales, he’s not had much time to think about what could be in store under the new boss.

Scales preparing for new era at Celtic

Republic of Ireland international Scales was asked after the 1-0 victory over Dundee on Wednesday evening whether he had been doing his research on the 48-year-old Nancy.

“No, I haven’t had time,” the defender said. “It’s been so busy. Obviously we know bits and pieces but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We need to focus on the games that we have and now is the time where we’re going to have to really focus on the tactical changes and whatever he wants us to do.

“It’s hard to do homework on someone you’ve never met because you don’t want to create a false idea of them. It’s better just to wait and really learn from them in person.”

Nancy arrives ahead of a crucial run of games. Celtic will go top of the Premiership if they beat Hearts on Sunday before facing St Mirren in the League Cup final a week later.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than the week he has come in. It’s probably ideal. You want to come in and be part of massive games and he has a chance to win a trophy early on.

“If you come in and do well over the next three games, it’s the best way you can start a job. We’ll be doing our best to make that happen for him because we want to be successful as a team.”

Scales could be set for new role under Nancy

Scales was in excellent form under O’Neill, notably hailed as Celtic’s “player of the year” by some. Evidently, he thoroughly enjoyed his time with the interim manager in the dugout.

The defender said of O’Neill: “He’s been really good. It’s been a positive four weeks or five weeks. We’ve won a lot of games. We’ve obviously won a cup semi-final and won an away game in Europe as well. They were big wins. It’s just been really enjoyable and positive.

“In the game now, the defenders are on the ball a lot and you need to link play. But to go back to basics and just be told that you need to win your headers, you need to win your duels, I’ll keep that with me.”

Liam Scales in action for Celtic.

Whether the centre-back continues his form remains to be seen. After all, Scales could be set for a modified role given Nancy’s preference for a back three. “I’ve played in back threes, I’ve played in back fives, I’ve played in back fours. I just want to be in the team. That’s all I care about.”

Better than Maeda: Celtic star is going to be undroppable under Nancy

This Celtic star who was even better than Daizen Maeda against Dundee should be Wilfried Nancy’s first undroppable star.

1 ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2025

Chelsea star out for a month through injury with January transfer stance shared

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is set to be without one star for a month through injury, with their stance on a January transfer solution also revealed.

Chelsea lose Champions League ground amid suspension and injury woes

Chelsea’s automatic Champions League qualification prospects suffered a significant setback in Bergamo on Tuesday evening as Maresca’s side surrendered a half-time advantage to lose 2-1 against Atalanta.

The Blues controlled proceedings during the opening period, with Joao Pedro sliding home his inaugural Champions League goal after Reece James’s precise delivery in the 25th minute.

However, a second-half capitulation, triggered by Gianluca Scamacca’s 55th-minute header and Charles De Ketelaere’s deflected 83rd-minute winner, leaves Chelsea precariously positioned in 11th place with two league phase games remaining.

Maresca confronts mounting selection dilemmas as Chelsea’s injury list continues to pose a real problem, as it has done all season.

The Italian has made more squad rotations than any other manager in the Premier League this term, with Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Enzo Fernández, Roméo Lavia, Pedro Neto, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo and Josh Acheampong all sidelined at various points this term through injury or suspension.

Mykhailo Mudryk also remains banned for alleged doping violations, though some surprise reports suggest he could actually return to action next month.

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Palmer, the Blues’ talisman, is still working his way back to full fitness as Maresca manages his workload meticulously.

The England international’s persistent fitness struggles have restricted him to just six appearances across all competitions this season, and Chelsea quite simply need him firing.

Maresca confirmed that Palmer cannot feature in consecutive matches within three-day periods right now, prioritising long-term availability over immediate selection.

Roméo Lavia’s latest in a long line of injury problems has depleted Chelsea’s midfield alongside Caicedo’s suspension, with it being unclear as to when the 21-year-old Belgian will return.

Colwill’s ruptured ACL sustained during pre-season means the promising defender is in line to miss the vast majority of 2025/2026, with Essugo sidelined after suffering a setback.

The most pressing of all these concerns, though, is Delap’s return to the treatment table.

Chelsea handed Liam Delap injury update

According to BBC journalist Nizaar Kinsella, Delap’s shoulder injury, sustained during Chelsea’s goalless draw with Bournemouth, appears significantly less serious than first feared.

The striker is now expected to return within four weeks rather than the two months originally mooted, which comes as good news for Chelsea, even if Maresca is poised to be minus Delap for a month.

The 22-year-old departed the Vitality Stadium in considerable distress, landing awkwardly after a first-half aerial challenge with Marcos Senesi and immediately sparking concerns about a prolonged absence.

Initial reports suggested Delap faced between six and eight weeks sidelined, potentially ruling him out until February and forcing Chelsea to accelerate Emmanuel Emegha’s pre-arranged summer transfer from Strasbourg.

However, subsequent scans delivered encouraging news by confirming no fracture, drastically reducing the recovery timeline.

Maresca had expressed genuine concern post-match, admitting the shoulder issue “looked quite bad” and lamenting Chelsea’s serious bad luck.

The revised timeline means Delap could potentially return before the January transfer window closes, alleviating immediate pressure to bolster Chelsea’s attacking options.

The England Under-21 international has endured a frustrating debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, having already missed two months earlier this season with a hamstring injury sustained in August.

Delap has managed just six starts across all competitions since his £30 million summer arrival from Ipswich, scoring once against Barcelona in the Champions League.

As the former Man City striker continues his recovery, it appears Marc Guiu and Pedro will continue shouldering striker responsibilities.

Muthusamy ton, Jansen 93 put South Africa in dominant position

No team has lost a Test in India after scoring as many as South Africa’s 489

Sidharth Monga23-Nov-20253:14

Philander: ‘Muthusamy deserves all the accolades coming his way’

A maiden hundred for Senuran Muthusamy and a career-best 93 from Marco Jansen went a long way to take South Africa close to batting India out of the Guwahati Test and the two-match series. No team has lost a Test in India after scoring as many as South Africa’s 489. If South Africa can keep that record intact, they will have pushed India to a second home-series loss in 12 months after they went 12 years without any.At the start of the second day, 489 looked like a million miles away. And while Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne steadied the ship from the overnight 247 for 6, if South Africa had continued at that scoring rate, they would have barely crossed 400 in the 151.1 overs that they batted.Related

India confront the steepest of challenges

Muthusamy comes out of the wilderness and stuns India

However, Jansen’s 93 off 91, including a record seven sixes against India in India, knocked the wind out of India’s sails when they would still have been hopeful despite having bowled 120.1 overs for seven wickets. With Jansen, Muthusamy also upped the intent as the two put together the highest partnership of the series: 97 in 17.4 overs. Muthusamy became the ninth centurion for South Africa this year, but Jansen fell seven short of equalling the world record of ten different centurions in one year.Even before Jansen, Muthusamy and Verreynne had done enough to frustrate India. The pitch, which had kept the bowlers interested on day one, was flatter because the early moisture had completely dried off. Even then, South Africa lost wickets on day one only when they tried to force the pace. On day two, now six down, they seemed to have decided to take time out of the game, not necessarily for a draw in mind but to deny India batting when the pitch was still good.Marco Jansen didn’t let scoring opportunities go•AFP/Getty ImagesFor nearly 40 overs on the second morning, India weren’t able to build any wicket-taking threat. When they thought they had Muthuswamy lbw on the sweep against Ravindra Jadeja, a faint murmur on UltraEdge reversed the decision. Muthusamy especially looked in complete control, playing only 13 false shots in his 205-ball stay at the wicket. Eventually, it was Verreynne charging at Jadeja too early that allowed India a wicket.Still, it was only mid-afternoon, and South Africa were only 334 for 7. If India could bowl them out for under 400, they were still in with a good chance to force their way back into the match.Out came Jansen and hit a no-look six off Jadeja. Then he slog-swept him for a four and a six. India tried Kuldeep Yadav to look to beat him in the air, but he stepped out of the crease and lofted him nonchalantly over long-on. Muthusamy also grew bold and began to slog-sweep whenever he got a chance.Muthusamy was 67 off 160 when Verreynne got out, but added 43 off 47 after that. India’s frustration grew as they now tried to bounce these batters. Jasprit Bumrah drew a top edge that fell just short of fine leg, resulting in a dirty look from Bumrah to Mohammed Siraj, who was asked to bend his back after Bumrah had done so.It was a tiring and frustrating day for Mohammed Siraj and the other India bowlers•AFP/Getty ImagesFirst ball after tea, Siraj induced the top edge to get rid of Muthusamy, but the strategy didn’t work against Jansen, who lobbed him over mid-on with a pull shot and then hooked him for a six. That the pitch was still good to bat on showed in how Rishabh Pant now asked both his fast bowlers to bowl in tandem. Bumrah hit the top of off of Simon Harmer, but even that didn’t bring much respite.Jansen and Keshav Maharaj added 27 for the last wicket. Jansen’s reach remained the feature of his innings, messing up the idea of a good length, but he batted with the mindset of a specialist batter even though his strike rate of over 100 might suggest a cavalier approach. Finally, he was dismissed as he followed a Kuldeep wrong’un and chopped on, disgusted with himself for getting out so close to a hundred.Kuldeep ended up with four wickets, but this was his first on day two. Jadeja, Bumrah and Siraj got two each. This was only the fourth time since the end of 2016 that India had been kept on the field for 150 overs.Tired bodies and minds were now looking at a long and adventurous route to save the series, but first they had to survive the awkward half an hour before stumps in fading light. While they had to face only 4.1 overs before bad light ended the day’s play, this trend of having time only for 80 overs or so in India’s eastern-most venue only strengthened South Africa’s chances of holding onto the series lead.

Gill ruled out of Guwahati Test, Pant to lead India

Shubman Gill “will head to Mumbai for further assessment of his injury,” BCCI says in a media statement

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-20252:53

Saba Karim: Pant will be unpredictable as captain

Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck injury during the first India vs South Africa Test in Kolkata, has been ruled out of the second Test in Guwahati, which starts on Saturday. Rishabh Pant, who led in Kolkata after Gill left the game, will be India’s captain.Gill had travelled to Guwahati on November 19 after spending time under observation in a Kolkata hospital, but has now been ruled out of participation in the game. Gill “will head to Mumbai for further assessment of his injury,” the BCCI said in a statement on Friday morning.As reported by ESPNcricinfo on Thursday, it was understood that Gill is at risk of further neck spasms if he plays so soon after recovering. He has been advised more rest. The development could also impact his selection in the ODI squad for the three matches against South Africa starting on November 30. The squad for that series is expected to be picked on November 23.Related

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Mystery pitch leaves SA guessing ahead of Guwahati Test

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With Gill out and no replacements named, India have to choose one of B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and Nitish Kumar Reddy as his replacement.Gill was admitted to hospital after the second day of the Kolkata Test after he retired hurt having faced only three balls in India’s first innings. On the morning of the third day, the BCCI said he would take no further part in the Test. India went on to lose the match by 30 runs after being dismissed for 93 in a chase of 124 on a pitch with uneven bounce. Gill had missed a Test against New Zealand in October 2024 due to a neck spasm too.On Thursday, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had said in a press conference that the team would not risk playing Gill if there was any chance of the spasm recurring.”He is definitely recovering really well,” Kotak said. “Now, the decision [whether to play him or not] will be taken tomorrow evening. The physios, doctors, they will have to take a call that, [even] if he is fully recovered, [during the] game, he should not get that spasm again.”[…] If we have a, guarantee that, very likely, he won’t have this issue again, then he will play. If there is a doubt, then I am sure, he will take rest [for] one more game, because it won’t be helpful to the team [if he plays].”

135/223 – Harry Brook rewrites record books with one-man show

Harry Brook walked out at 5 for 3, which soon became 10 for 4 and 56 for 6 before his six-laden 101-ball 135 lifted England to some respectability

Sampath Bandarupalli26-Oct-202560.53 – Percentage of England’s total of 223 that came off Harry Brook’s bat as he scored 135. It is the highest contribution by a batter in a completed innings for England in men’s ODIs. The previous highest was 60.28 by Robin Smith, who scored an unbeaten 167 in England’s total of 277 for 5 against Australia at Birmingham in 1993.Brook’s contribution is also the sixth-highest by any batter in an all out innings in men’s ODIs.

135 – Brook’s score against New Zealand is the second-highest while batting at No. 5 or lower for England in ODIs. Jos Buttler scored 150 while batting at No. 5 against West Indies in 2019.Brook’s 135 is also the second-highest score for England in men’s ODIs in New Zealand, behind Jonny Bairstow’s 138 against New Zealand in Dunedin in 2018.3 for 5 – England’s score when Brook walked out to bat at the start of the third over. Only two other batters in ODI history have scored hundreds after starting with the team three down for fewer than ten runs – 105 by Sarfaraz Ahmed from 3 for 2 against England in 2016 at Lord’s and 103 by Yuvraj Singh from 3 for 5 against South Africa in 2005 at Hyderabad.

223 – England’s total in Mount Maunganui is the second-highest total in ODIs with eight batters dismissed for single-digit scores. The highest is 272 for 9 by West Indies against England in 1984, where Viv Richards scored an unbeaten 189.England’s 223 is also the second-highest total with only two of the 11 batters reaching double-figures. The highest is 292 for 9 by West Indies against South Africa in 1999, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (150) and Carl Hooper (108) scoring hundreds.2 – Previous instances of a team going past the 200-run mark despite being four wickets down for ten or fewer runs in an ODI. India’s 266 for 8 against Zimbabwe in 1983 and Pakistan’s 262 for 9 against South Africa in 1997 came after being four down for nine runs.England’s 10 is their second-lowest at the fall of the fourth wicket in men’s ODIs, behind the 6 against Australia in Adelaide in 2018.

57 – Partnership runs between Brook and Luke Wood for the tenth wicket. It is the highest tenth-wicket stand for England in men’s ODIs, bettering the 53 by James Anderson and Steven Finn against Australia at Brisbane in 2011.11 – Sixes hit by Brook. Only two batters have hit more sixes in an ODI innings for England – 17 by Eoin Morgan against Afghanistan in 2019, while Buttler hit 14 against Netherlands in 2022 and 12 against West Indies in 2019.Brook’s 11 sixes are also the joint-third-highest by any batter in an ODI in New Zealand.3 – Sixes off consecutive balls by Brook to bring up his hundred – from 86 to 104. Since the start of 2002, only one other batter has reached his hundred with a hat-trick of sixes in ODIs – Glenn Maxwell against Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup, while Shubman Gill did the same to bring up his double-hundred against New Zealand in 2023 (where ball-by-ball data is available).

Pope shines again as Root, Brook tune up in England win

England XI haul in target of 202 as warm-up game with Lions goes the distance

Tristan Lavalette15-Nov-2025Joe Root and Harry Brook had final hits in the middle before the first Ashes Test, but weren’t able to kick on from encouraging starts in England’s five-wicket victory over the Lions on a slow surface at Lilac Hill.Chasing 202 runs in batting-friendly conditions, England stuttered at 14 for 2 after the wickets of openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. The pair had combined for a swashbuckling 182-run stand in the first innings, but Duckett fell for a golden duck after fending a short delivery from seamer Nathan Gilchrist to point.It was a rare occasion that the ball reared off the sedate surface and the type of fierce delivery that Duckett can expect on the bouncier surface of Optus Stadium, while Crawley edged Matt Potts to slip after a loose drive.Potts followed up from his impressive effort earlier in the match with 1 for 9 off his four-over burst with the new ball.Related

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  • England hint Pope will retain No.3 berth for Perth Ashes opener

Ollie Pope’s stylish century in the first innings put to bed any speculation over his spot for the first Test and his confidence was further underlined with a rapid 90 off 67 balls.With belligerent blows all around the wicket, particularly effective down the ground, Pope dominated a 113-run partnership with Root, who had a lengthier stint at the crease after making just 1 run off 12 in the first innings.Root was mostly intent on rotating the strike with sharp running between the wickets, quietly moving to 31 off 52 balls before being bowled by offspinner Will Jacks after playing down the wrong line.Brook came to the crease after an ugly first-innings dismissal when he was bowled after charging down the pitch. He motored to 19 before his stumps were rattled after botching a reverse paddle against Jacks.Jamie Smith ensured the game wrapped up quickly, clubbing an unbeaten 39 off 22 while Ben Stokes finished 15 not out as England hauled in the target in just 34.4 overs.There had been an unknown over whether the final day would meander into an early finish or whether a chase late in the day would be conjured. But Stokes followed through with his “balls to the wall” mantra from ahead of the match, with the game going the distance.The Lions declared at 251 for 6 midway through the second session as England’s hierarchy opted for their top-order to have another hit-out. Quick Brydon Carse made a compelling case for selection in the first Test with three wickets after missing the opening two days due to illness.Shoaib Bashir in discussion with Jeetan Patel•Getty Images

“It [Optus Stadium pitch] might be a little bit different to this week’s preparation, but this was all about bowlers getting miles in their legs,” Carse told reporters.”Over the handful of Tests that I’ve played, whether that’s with the new ball or first change….I’m pretty open to both of those [roles]. We’ve got a group of bowlers that can do different roles and happy to slot in anywhere.”Offspinner Shoaib Bashir bowled for the second consecutive day, but again proved ineffective with little turn on offer to finish with 1 for 83 off 12 overs, an even more expensive return than his earlier effort against England’s main XI.England were buoyed earlier in the day by the news that quick Mark Wood was cleared of a hamstring injury, just hours before Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the first Test. But Wood did not take the field on the final day as the England XI had a shake-up with Bashir changing teams having taken 1 for 68 from 12 overs in the Lions’ first innings.Much like on day two, the surface seemed livelier earlier in the day with Jofra Archer producing sharp bounce and beating the bat on several occasions. But Archer and Gus Atkinson were upstaged by Carse who threatened with a nagging back-of-a-length approach. His accuracy frustrated opener Tom Haines, who on 12 slashed straight to point.Carse also claimed the wickets of Ben McKinney and Jordan Cox, who both made half-centuries in each innings. The 6ft 7in McKinnie dominated the opening session and took the aerial route against Bashir, his eyes lighting up when he threw the ball up.Jacob Bethell’s chances of a first Test call-up are unlikely, but he did stroke an effortless 70 off 80 balls having failed in the first innings with 2. Bethell appeared to be cruising to a century until he whacked straight back to Bashir who took a sharp return catch.After a six-wicket haul in the first innings, Stokes bowled just one four-over spell while Root claimed Jacks in his only over before the Lions declared.

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