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Important strides have been made in the game but much work remains to be done

Daniel Brettig02-Jul-2020When the Johnny Mullagh Medal is presented to the Player of the Match at the end of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India this summer, it will not only signify the contribution of Indigenous Australians to the national game, but also provide a sharp reminder of the hole that remains at cricket’s heart in this country.At a time when issues of racial inequality have been given fresh impetus by the Black Lives Matter movement, last year’s decision to create the Mullagh Medal in recognition of the captain of the all-Indigenous side to England in 1868 that was the first Australian side of any kind to tour internationally, cannot obscure the fact that the chances of any Indigenous players vying for it are slim.Australian cricket has seen an increase in the number of players on state and W/BBL lists: D’Arcy Short, Dan Christian, Josh Lalor, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland, Emma Manix-Geeves, Ashleigh Gardner, Hannah Darlington and Mikayla Hinkley were all contracted in various forms last season. And Cricket Australia, through a series of programs and reports over the past 20 years or more, have pushed towards ever greater representation for Indigenous cricketers, taking cues from the pioneering experience of Aunty Faith Thomas in particular.But the fact remains that Jason Gillespie is still the only Indigenous cricketer to enjoy the sort of Test career that might have included winning the Mullagh Medal, and a greater reckoning with Australian cricket’s past sins in areas of race and inclusion is still some way from taking place. This may well have as much to do with reconciling the history as it does with augmenting existing programs.John McGuire’s lamentIt is jarring to note that a little more than two months before CA announced the Mullagh Medal, a pioneering Indigenous cricketer and administrator, John McGuire, asked that his name be removed from the trophy awarded to Western Australia’s Under-15s premier cricket champion side.”I felt it was a token gesture and I don’t think the WACA is fair dinkum about Aboriginal inclusion, so I don’t want my name attached to this award,” McGuire had told the . “For the past 40 years of my life, I’ve been trying through the WACA to encourage and create a pathway for Aboriginal cricketers and unfortunately, nothing has been done. It’s fallen short simply by exclusion. There’s plenty of talent out there, it’s just never been tapped. It’s appalling. The game needs an icon that little Johnny in Kellerberrin or Billy down at Albany or Freddie in Meekatharra can see playing for the state so they know they can do it too.”Over a lengthy career as an opening batsman in Perth grade cricket, McGuire accumulated more than 10,000 runs without once being chosen for his state. His encouragement to retire while batting well in a state trial match in the mid-1980s has been previously documented, but in a recent BBC interview he also noted how there were other times when he felt as though there were greater barriers to his elevation than the simple metrics of performance.

Let’s be honest about it, cricket hasn’t been a game for all Australians. Aboriginals think cricket is a white fella’s sport, because we don’t see black players in the team. That is why West Indies were my team. I could identify with themJohn McGuire in The Cricket Monthly in 2015

“We don’t embrace the Aboriginal cricketers like the football codes have done, and the opportunities have been very limited and indeed my own personal story is one of disappointment in that there was this covert racial sort of undertone that excluded you,” McGuire said in an interview with Ali Mitchell. “I was getting messages like ‘oh John you’re one big score away from selection’, and that would happen and then the goalposts would change and there’d be another reason for non-selection. I can remember rolling up to state cricket training and as an opening batsman I expected I would bat fairly early in the afternoon or evening, certainly in the afternoon against the best bowlers.”But it’d be almost dark and the coach would say ‘oh John, put the pads on’ and Geoff Marsh, Mike Veletta and some of those guys would be bowling at me, and it’s like ‘hang on, how can I develop my game against non-bowlers, why am I batting this late in the afternoon/evening, when as an opening batsman I expect I should be batting fairly early in the training session against the best bowlers.”There was always the racist comments and being called black and laced with expletives and derogatory comments about the colour of my skin, but there wasn’t anything from the state selectors or from the WACA as such as the governing body of the game here in Perth. So there was nothing that was tangible or evident, but the underlying view was that ‘we’re not going to play this bloke, it doesn’t matter how many runs he makes’.”An element of McGuire’s story that is especially difficult to fathom is this: during the same period in which he vied for WA selection, Kim Hughes, Greg Shipperd, Tom Hogan and Terry Alderman were all banned from playing for the state while going on lucrative “rebel” tours of apartheid-era South Africa in 1985-86 and 1986-87. All then played for WA again once their bans elapsed, and Alderman went on to a triumphant 1989 Ashes tour. McGuire, then, was not only surplus to a weakened squad, but also behind the returned rebels; his only recognition was to be as captain of an Indigenous team to England, in 1988.WA’s state coach at the time, Daryl Foster, has denied any prejudice against McGuire, and in a response to the BBC interview, the WACA stated that it could not comment on selection decisions “made in the last century”. Nevertheless, there are those within Australian cricket who believe that McGuire is owed an apology, or a chance to make his story more widely known and understood as a way of helping current generations of selectors and talent spotters ensure they do not make similar oversights, or worse.Jason Gillespie took 402 international wickets across an 11-year career•Getty ImagesFor the Love of the GameThis is not to say that CA has lacked a desire to explore the past and make better decisions for the future. Indigenous involvement in cricket has been tracking in a positive direction for the past three to four years following on from a landmark report, For The Love of the Game, that CA published in conjunction with Canberra’s Australian National University in October 2015.To read its many raw passages five years on is to be hit by the sorts of uncomfortable truths that CA was later to experience in the Ethics Centre cultural review of the governing body in 2018; the major difference being that the report on Indigenous cricket received little to no fanfare. Nevertheless, its examples of racism both subtle and overt, would sting any reader. Examples of overt racism quoted in the report included this from a club player: “One guy said to me on the field, ‘what are you playing cricket for ‘boong boy’? Go play rugby league with ya coon mates.”Another example had a player keeping their Aboriginality a secret on the basis of what teammates said of other black players: “I’m the only Aboriginal player in the team [although my teammates didn’t know that]. I didn’t feel welcome or comfortable and was too scared to let anyone know. They [my team] were filthy with their mouths – I remember them bagging out a black guy from another team, really badly, and I was just ashamed.”

The pervasive feeling that Indigenous cricket was just an ‘add-on’ or was not something really important was conveyed to us at all levels of the gameFrom the 2015 report, For The Love of the Game

One instance, in which the “fines committee” common to so many teams was used as an instrument of discrimination, built up over time to the point that the player concerned got out of the game entirely: “One of the things that happened to me was that the boys had this system where you would get fined two bucks for every stuff up you made. You know, if you dropped a catch or something you got fined two dollars. Well, every week I got fined four dollars at the get-go for being Aboriginal. Everyone thought it was hilarious. I’d kind of laugh along, but it really started to get to me, you know. I never said anything though ’cause in a way the blokes thought it was kind of including me, but it actually really hurt me. I hated that s*** and it went on for ages.”Areas of governance and funding were also closely examined, from the states of disrepair many state Indigenous cricket advisory councils had fallen into, to the troubling issue of funding for the annual Imparja Cup carnival in the Northern Territory generally scooping up all but a comically small amount of annual budgets. The underlying message, inked clearly into the report, was as follows:”Across all levels of the game, there was consensus that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were not being included enough or were actually being excluded. The pervasive feeling that Indigenous cricket was just an ‘add-on’ or was not something really important was conveyed to us at all levels of the game, from young Indigenous players through to cricket administrators and by those in charge of administering Indigenous cricket throughout the states and territories.”As a result of this report, plenty has changed in terms of additional funding and better organisation, plus more visible manifestations of the Indigenous contribution to cricket, whether it be the bat artwork championed by Christian, Indigenous designs on Australian limited-overs uniforms, or the Mullagh Medal itself. Most critically, the onset of Covid-19 has not caused a dive in funding to CA’s efforts in the area.Tyran Liddiard of New South Wales celebrates a run out during the National Indigenous Cricket Championships•Getty ImagesInvestment maintained in the time of coronavirusWhile national Under-15s, Under-17s and Futures League or 2nd XI tournaments have been canned by way of cost-savings for next season, the National Indigenous Championships have been retained. Similarly, a host of measures from CA’s most recent national reconciliation action plan will continue to be rolled out across the country.There have, also, been notable on-field triumphs. Take this recent sequence: Short was BBL player of the year in 2018 and 2019; Gardner won the Player of the Match award in the 2018 T20 World Cup Final in the Caribbean; Christian was player of the BBL final in 2019; Boland was Sheffield Shield player of the year in 2019; and Darlington WBBL young player of the year in 2019, following it up with the Alex Blackwell Medal as the Sydney Thunder’s best.Most importantly, though, is the acknowledgement within the plan’s pages that change is as much about listening as it is about acting. To that end, the examples of McGuire and a host of others need to be keenly heeded, whether they call for fresh investment, new ideas or, perhaps more painfully, a greater willingness to examine and admit to past failures. If Indigenous experiences of cricket have involved pain or discrimination in any way, then ultimately cricket failed them and needs to right those wrongs.Those present at the 2008 edition of the Imparja Cup can recall the emotional response of many cricketers taking part when they watched, live, the apology of the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to the stolen generations – an anniversary of which more could be made. It’s a strong reminder of the fact that in bringing Indigenous Australia more closely into cricket, acts of recognition can go a long way towards building trust and ultimately making peace with the past.Otherwise McGuire’s overview of why so few Indigenous cricketers have reached the top of the game, told to Tristan Lavalette in 2015, will continue to be true: “Let’s be honest about it, cricket hasn’t been a game for all Australians. Aboriginals think cricket is a white fella’s sport, because we don’t see black players in the team. That is why West Indies were my team. I could identify with them. Programs can encourage participation, but kids need to know that if they play they can get to the top – whether for their state or country. We need a role model to inspire a generation of Indigenous kids.”

Cameron Green is confident he could fill a variety of roles at the T20 World Cup 2024 following his IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru where he emerged in a middle-order position.Green finished IPL 2024 with scores of 37*, 1, 46, 32*, 38* and 27 (most recent last) during RCB’s late surge into the playoffs, having returned to the side largely batting at No. 4 to No. 6 before the final match where he filled in for the absent Will Jacks at No. 3.Previously, Green’s most impactful T20 innings had come either opening or at No. 3 – the latter bringing his maiden T20 hundred in IPL 2023 – and his evolution in a variety of positions, aiding by the guidance of RCB batting coach Neil McKenzie, has grown his confidence while handing Australia some potentially important options in the Caribbean.Related

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“Think that’s the beauty of what I’ve been exposed to in the last few years, there’s never been a really consistent spot to really lock in but at the same time I’m pretty thankful for that,” Green told reporters. “Feel like I can jump in at many different roles, [I] think that’s where I see myself this tournament, maybe plugging holes in the team. It’s a pretty good team to get into. Wherever I got told I’m playing [I] think I’ve got a bit of confidence and an idea of where to bat anyway.”It’s pretty different when you bat up [in] the top [order], two fielders out at the start, you can play pretty proper cricket. Maybe took me a while to really work out how to go about it [in the middle order]. You can still give yourself 10 balls to kind of get yourself in, where sometimes when you are inexperienced it doesn’t feel like you have 10 balls.”Green may not make the starting XI at the beginning of the tournament, although he could potentially squeeze Marcus Stoinis out of the side, but Australia are open to playing eight batters if conditions warrant it. In that make-up, Green’s bowling would become a vital element to the balance of the side, another area of his game where he learnt to deal with the pressure of a high-scoring IPL. He finished with an economy rate of under nine.Green has been managed very precisely by Australia this year after a challenging 2023 where the effect of moving straight from the IPL to the Test tour of England took its toll. Green lost his place in the Test side before being recalled against West Indies following David Warner’s retirement. The selectors then left him in Sheffield Shield cricket rather than play T20Is against New Zealand, a decision rewarded with a magnificent 174 not out in Wellington.That was largely based on the knowledge that Green would have a full IPL to prepare for the T20 World Cup and he has benefited from blocks of red and white-ball cricket, but juggling formats will continue to be a key part of Green’s career.”I’ve definitely noticed [the difference], this is probably the most prepared I’ve been for some sort of tour,” he said. “You always move from a Test tour into a T20, a T20 into a Test tour so it’s pretty extreme but that’s the beauty of the IPL this year is you actually got some unbelievable practice leading into this.”It’s a fine balance, seeing if you can prioritise some sort of tournament before others. With that T20 [series against New Zealand] we had the IPL after so they thought maybe more beneficial to stick with red-ball cricket for that summer, but that will chop and change.”

He has not been sleeping very well leading into the Wellington Test, but come match day, he stood up to make it count

Karthik Krishnaswamy in Wellington22-Feb-2020It was poised to be that kind of day for India. A day when they were bowled out cheaply, just when conditions were getting better to bat in. A day when their bowlers weren’t doing a whole lot wrong, but weren’t at their best either. A day when New Zealand were threatening to pull away.But they kept themselves in the game, just about, thanks mostly to Ishant Sharma.Ishant was coming back from a grade-three ankle injury, having recovered from it at an almost miraculous pace. He had landed in New Zealand less than a week before the Test match, and was still struggling with jetlag.”I could only sleep for 40 minutes last night,” he said, at his end-of-day press conference. “The night before that, I slept for only three hours.”Sleep-deprived and perhaps not yet entirely back at his physical peak, Ishant didn’t bowl the long spells he usually gets through. The 15 overs he sent down on day two were rationed into five separate spells, the longest of which lasted four overs.India looked flat and in need of inspiration almost every time Ishant began a new spell. The others weren’t doing badly, but they weren’t doing well either. This might have been okay on another day, but India had only put 165 on the board here.Jasprit Bumrah was playing his first Test since returning from a stress fracture, and the rhythm wasn’t quite there. He had seemed to find it in the warm-up match, where he hit his lengths almost as soon as he began his first spell, but here he looked edgy, walking back to his mark a little too quickly between deliveries, bowling good balls without necessarily stringing them together into pressure-building sequences, and looking like he was searching a little too eagerly for that one wicket that would make everything okay.Mohammed Shami had begun well, squaring Tom Blundell up twice in his first three overs and finding his leading edge both times. Those balls had fallen safely, though, and the batsmen had become used to the spongy bounce of the Basin Reserve pitch. But as a result of those two balls to Blundell, maybe, Shami was bowling a touch too short, not bringing the batsmen forward enough.R Ashwin was getting the ball to grip and turn more than a fingerspinner might usually do on a second-day Wellington pitch, and had spun one between Blundell’s bat and pad early on, only for bounce to save the batsman from getting bowled. But Kane Williamson was not allowing him to settle at all; against lengths that may have drawn other batsmen forward, he was trusting his back-foot game to keep punching Ashwin into the covers, where a defensive fielder, two-thirds of the way to the boundary, would soon appear.Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah share a light moment•AFPIshant had gotten a little lucky with his first wicket, Tom Latham strangling a catch down the leg side. That dismissal seemed to have happened a long time ago when Ishant came back for his third spell. New Zealand were 72 for 1, with Blundell and Williamson both batting on 30.Little seemed to be happening in the air or off the pitch at that stage, with the sun out, the wind down to a simmer, and the batsmen well set. Ishant’s first ball, however, seemed to swing a long way into Williamson. The ball may have gotten a lesser batsman in trouble, but Williamson had all the time in the world to work it off his stumps and down to fine leg for one.His third ball started on around fifth stump, and seemed once again to swing, this time away from the right-hander. It wasn’t a difficult leave for Blundell, but the fact of the ball leaving the right-hander, that too in the air, suggested Ishant might be finding reverse-swing.Perhaps it was all just an illusion. “No, it was not reversing,” Ishant said. “Actually, nothing was happening. I was trying that something might happen from the wicket. So I was just not holding the ball on the seam but trying different things. Kookaburra, after 40 or 50 overs, the seam really gets soft. So you need to come hard and hit the length very hard if you hold the ball cross-seam. That’s what happened.”So cross-seam then. The next ball jagged off the pitch, inwards, from the perfect length, which had brought Blundell forward but not far enough. A gap appeared between his front pad and defensive bat, and the ball snuck through. New Zealand 73 for 2.They were 91 for 2 when Ishant finished his three-over spell, with Ross Taylor, playing his 100th Test, having just kicked his innings into gear with a slog-swept six off Ashwin. By the time Ishant came back into the attack, 17 overs later, the score was 152 for 2.Williamson and Taylor were batting beautifully, putting together the kind of third-wicket partnership India fans have seen numerous times in their home Tests, between Dravid and Tendulkar, for instance, or Pujara and Kohli. The two best batsmen in the team chugging along effortlessly to consolidate a position of strength, and refusing to let the visiting bowlers settle into any sort of rhythm.Ishant Sharma goes up in appeal against Tom Latham•Getty ImagesTaylor, for instance, wasn’t letting Ashwin bowl his best ball – the flighted offbreak landing outside off stump. He’d played that slog-sweep when he’d only just come in, and when Ashwin tried that line again later in his spell, he got down low to paddle him fine for four. In between, as a result, Ashwin mostly bowled stump-to-stump and a little flatter and fuller than he’d ideally have liked to bowl, just to prevent Taylor from sweeping.Shami and Bumrah, stretching themselves to break the partnership, erred in line or length every now and then. Williamson caressed drives either side of mid-off, or got on his toes to punch through point. Taylor played a couple of leg glances, off balls that may have gone on to hit leg stump or even part of middle, his hands somehow whirring through the shot despite his having to play around his front pad.By the time Ishant returned, eight of the previous ten overs had contained a boundary. New Zealand trailed by a mere 13 runs. The pitch, which had offered so much sideways and vertical assistance on day one, was now appearing a lot more straightforward to bat on.But there was still something in it, and the taller bowlers – Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee during India’s innings, Ishant now – were seeming to extract that little bit more from it.”I’m not sure,” Southee said, when asked about this at his press conference. “It seems like one of those wickets where the odd one, every now and then, stands up a little bit, and I guess when you’re a little bit taller you can kind of expose that a little bit more.”Ishant had a square-ish leg gully in place when he bowled to Taylor now, in his fourth spell. With the first ball of his third over, he bowled the perfect delivery to produce a lobbed catch to that fielder, and there’s no way he could have bowled it entirely on purpose. Taylor, pressing onto the front foot with his trigger movement, was in no position to deal with one that spat up from just short of a length, all the while jagging back in and cramping him for room.Even if Ishant couln’t have bowled it entirely on purpose, there was still a method to the dismissal, and it was much the same as the method employed by Jamieson on day one. But where Jamieson had used his short ball to push batsmen back, and then used the fuller one as his wicket-taking ball, Ishant had gone the other way.Of all the fast bowlers to have bowled on the first two days – not including the medium-paced Colin de Grandhomme – Ishant bowled the greatest percentage of deliveries (64.44) that brought the batsmen onto the front foot, according to ESPNcricinfo’s data. Southee came closest (63.64) while Shami (48.04) and Jamieson (48.96) brought up the rear.Different bowlers have different methods, and there’s no right or wrong one, but committing batsmen onto the front foot will most certainly heighten the danger of your short ball. Or the shortish ball that rears up unexpectedly.It was just the ball a somnolent India had needed to jolt back to life, even if the man who bowled it would have much rather been in bed himself.

Barcelona are open to selling Fermin Lopez if a major offer lands, with Liverpool and Bayern Munich keeping tabs on the midfielder.

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Barca open to bids for homegrown starFlick still values him but squad depth growsLiverpool and Bayern monitoring closelyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barca have softened their stance on Lopez, signalling they would consider selling the 22-year-old midfielder, but only if a substantial offer is made, according to a recent report from Despite being seen as a key figure under new boss Hansi Flick, Barca’s ongoing financial concerns have forced the club to re-evaluate its priorities. The possible signing of Nico Williams and the new inductee Joan Garcia has increased the pressure to reduce salary load, and Fermín’s name has emerged as a possible casualty.

Meanwhile, clubs like Bayern and Liverpool have reportedly been alerted by the U-turn, as both sides remain keen admirers of the talented Spaniard.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Although Fermin signed a long-term deal until 2029 with a €500 million (£426m/$545m) release clause, Barcelona are in no position to ignore serious offers. Fermin’s path to regular minutes is increasingly unclear, with Pedri, Gavi, De Jong, and potentially Dani Olmo and Raphinha occupying central roles. Even if he remains in Flick’s plans, they are stacked with midfield options and new signings will demand minutes. The 22-year-old midfielder has expressed his wish to stay, but the Camp Nou side's wage bill must shrink. Selling a promising asset for the right price may now be seen as necessary business.

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Head coach Flick values Fermin’s versatility and attacking presence near the penalty box, and he is currently seen as part of the club’s evolving tactical setup. However, Flick has been told of the financial reality and understands that even non-priority exits might be required. And, with Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal expected to occupy the wings, and Raphinha potentially moving central, opportunities for Fermin in his preferred role may dwindle. The club are also considering new youth promotions to fill midfield depth, further complicating his situation.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR FERMIN LOPEZ?

The Catalans are not actively pushing Fermin out, but they’re bracing for offers. If one of Liverpool or Bayern come in with a good offer and the player is open to the move, a transfer could be fast-tracked and the ball is going to bounce in the bidders’ court. His release clause is a whopping €500 million.

The left-arm spinner is relishing his role in the Titans attack, and the prospect of batters playing out Rashid Khan and coming after him

Shashank Kishore25-Mar-20241:18

McClenaghan: ‘Mohit’s experience really shone through’

As a spinner, dew can be your biggest nightmare. And when the opponents are cruising at 107 for 2, needing 62 off 48, the challenges are that much greater.R Sai Kishore had bowled three wicketless overs for 19 up until this point. Rohit Sharma was set on 43, and another few overs of him would have all but closed the door on the Gujarat Titans. It’s at this point that Sai Kishore made his mark.”I was actually expecting dew to play a major role,” he said later. “The ball was wet, but for some strange reason, the ball was still holding on the wicket. Usually it slides on, but I was surprised by the amount of purchase I was getting. So I tried to go into the wicket and mix my pace, and go slower through the air.”Related

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Sai Kishore hadn’t featured for Titans all of last season due to team-combination considerations. Even his five appearances prior to that, in 2022, had been staggered. He needed to conjure something special to keep Titans alive, and he did, by simply pulling his length back a touch, and getting the ball to dip.Rohit fell over attempting a sweep and was trapped plumb in front. Sai Kishore had brought the game back on an even keel. His figures of 1 for 24 played a key part in Mumbai’s slowdown, particularly in the second half of their chase, where Titans varied their lengths and bowled into the pitch to deny the batters.”Because the wicket was two-paced, we tried to go into the wicket a lot more, trust our length a lot more than directly going for yorkers,” Sai Kishore said. “That resulted in getting a lot of wickets. It was attacking bowling even if the situation was otherwise.”At Titans, Sai Kishore has had to adapt to being the second spinner to Rashid Khan. In the TNPL or for Tamil Nadu, he’s used as a trump card in the Powerplay. This change of role can be tough, but for someone longing for opportunities, it was the opening he needed.”In the other teams where play I usually do the lead role. To do the second role makes it even more exciting,” Sai Kishore said. “Most people are going to play off Rashid and come after me. That makes the challenge more exciting.”That sync [with Rashid] is there, we discuss the game very well. One of the strengths of this team is everyone sticks together. Jayant [Yadav, the offspinner] also used to come in [as a reserve player] and say ‘do this, do that, it’s going good.’ The communication is always there, which is superb.”Sai Kishore picked up the all-important wicket of Rohit Sharma•BCCISai Kishore felt Titans were at least 10 short of where they’d hoped to be with the bat. The plan all along was to remain in the game for as long as they could and then seize key moments, like they did in the death overs with Mohit Sharma and Rashid building on Sai Kishore’s work.”We felt we were 10 short, but the thing about this whole team and how it has been run over the last two years is we give a lot of emphasis to competing. Whether we win or lose, we’re proud of the way we play. We competed really well. That was the talk given by [head coach] Ashish Nehra as well.”All credit to the culture he has set up over the last two years. People are not thinking about the result [alone], they’re focusing about competing and staying in the game.”Sai Kishore is coming off a sensational Ranji Trophy season, which he finished as the highest wicket-taker. He left his imprint as a captain too, backing young players who thrived because of role clarity.At Titans, Sai Kishore is relishing any opportunity he gets to play, prepared to do the tough job without fearing the consequences. “When you bowl four overs on the trot, it’s like a one-day game, you can be in rhythm a lot easier.”With the Impact Player rule, we’re playing six bowlers. I’m getting the role where I’m bowling four overs on the trot in the middle. I’m open to bowling one-over spells. In [the Syed] Mushtaq Ali [Trophy] or TNPL, that’s how I use my overs but with the quality of bowlers we have, am getting to bowl four overs which I’m enjoying.”

GOAL runs through the players who have announced themselves at the top level in the first week of the global tournament

"I think the players are loving it, it’s something new. It’s something special," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said when asked to assess the first week of the expanded Club World Cup at the Fanatics Fest in New York at the weekend. "It’s a real World Cup with the best teams and the best players."

That final statement may be a stretch given the absence of Premier League and La Liga champions Liverpool and Barcelona among a host of other elite teams. But Infantino is not wrong about the general mood among the players who are starring in the United States this summer.

There was much debate about potential burnout heading into the tournament, but all the big names have been playing with huge smiles on their faces. Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos have rolled back the years for Inter Miami and Monterrey, respectively, while Jude Bellingham has led by example at Real Madrid, and Phil Foden has rediscovered his best form with Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich duo Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala have stormed to the top of the scoring chart with three goals apiece, and former Arsenal midfielder Jorginho helped Flamengo become the first team to reach the knockout phase. But the more seasoned performers have also had to share the headlines with hungry newcomers determined to leave a lasting impression on the elite stage.

GOAL takes a look at the top 10 breakout stars of the 2025 Club World Cup so far, starting with a Brazilian striker bound for the Premier League…

Igor Jesus (Botafogo)

Described as the "Didier Drogba of modern times" by South American football expert Tim Vickery, Igor Jesus has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining Botafogo from Shabab Al Ahli in July 2024. The physically imposing frontman, ironically nicknamed 'The Little Frog', helped Botafogo clinch a league and Copa Libertadores double last season while also breaking into the Brazil national team, which prompted Nottingham Forest to swoop for his services.

Forest reportedly agreed a £17 million ($23m) deal for Jesus the week before the Club World Cup kicked off, which looks like a snip based on how he has performed in Botafogo's group games. The 24-year-old scored the winner in the Brazilian club's opener against the Seattle Sounders, busting out a passionate 'Kamehameha' celebration inspired by the iconic anime show Dragon Ball Z, and then repeated the trick against Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain after nutmegging Willian Pacho.

But Jesus will bring so much more to Forest than just goals. Botafogo ceded almost 75 percent of the possession to PSG, but always posed a threat on the counter because of Jesus' superb hold-up play. He's a relentless ball winner with an incredible spring that more than makes up for his 5'10 stature, and his presence alone makes Botafogo dark horses for the Club World Cup crown.

AdvertisementJhon Arias (Fluminense)

Colombia international Jhon Arias has emerged as a surprise early contender for Player of the Tournament. The 27-year-old dazzled with his pace and trickery in Fluminense's 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund on matchday one, earning the Player of the Match award in the process, and was very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after a fascinating battle with BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Arias did get his goal in Fluminense's subsequent 4-2 triumph against South Korean outfit Ulsan, though, and it was well worth the wait. He curled an unstoppable, 25-yard free-kick into the top right corner of the net to give his team the lead, which was the cherry on top of another MVP performance as he also assisted Juan Freitas' goal.

Crystal Palace were strongly linked with Arias in the winter transfer window, and they may well reignite their interest if he keeps delivering the goods for Fluminense. The former Santa Fe attacker has spent his entire career so far in Latin America, but is now showing that he deserves a chance to test himself in one of Europe's major leagues.

Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZNStream nowGettyEstevao Willian (Palmeiras)

Estevao Willian claimed back-to-back Player of the Match awards with Palmeiras at the Club World Cup, further whetting the appetite of Chelsea fans anticipating the 18-year-old's arrival at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2025-26 season. Chelsea's £56m ($71m) investment in Estevao is already looking like a shrewd one, with the youngster having tormented the Porto backline in a 0-0 draw before also shining in Palmeiras' comfortable 2-0 win against Al Ahly.

There is still plenty of room for improvement when it comes to Estevao's end product, but his explosive, fearless style of play has been a joy to behold. The supremely gifted Brazil international, nicknamed 'Messinho', possesses the acceleration, footwork, and balance to dance around defenders with ease, while he has a penchant for identifying and exploiting space in the final third.

It also bodes well for Chelsea that Estevao is more than holding his own physically in the United States. The teenager could go straight into Enzo Maresca's line up based on his group-stage displays, and there is potential for him to form a fearsome partnership with the Blues' current leading man, Cole Palmer.

Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)

Juventus have had big hopes for Kenan Yildiz ever since beating Barcelona to the former Bayern Munich academy star's signature in 2022. His development has not always run smoothly, though, with consistency proving elusive after his breakthrough into the senior squad, and a reported clash with ex-Juve coach Thiago Motta only worsened matters.

But Yildiz is reminding the world of his unique talent at the Club World Cup. The 20-year-old was among the scorers in Juve's 5-0 demolition of Al Ain, finding the bottom corner from long range despite being surrounded by defenders, and he was simply sensational in their 4-1 win over Wydad Casablanca on matchday two.

Yildiz forced the own goal that broke the deadlock after just six minutes before scoring what may end up being the goal of the tournament. The Turkey international almost burst the net with a thunderous half-volley from the edge of the box that whistled past the Wydad 'keeper in the blink of an eye, and he doubled his account in the second half for good measure.

"Kenan has huge potential, but it's his mentality that will take him far," Juve boss Igor Tudor said after the game. It may also take the Bianconeri to their first Club World Cup crown.

Newcastle United are on a high after claiming the Carabao Cup and will look to build on their success this summer as Eddie Howe builds a legacy on Tyneside.

Newcastle look to secure Champions League slot ahead of summer window

While the dust has barely settled on a whirlwind cup win for Eddie Howe, the Magpies know they will be in the Europa Conference League at the very least next season after a famous Wembley triumph over Liverpool before the international break.

Enjoying a free weekend, Newcastle return to action against Brentford next Wednesday as their pursuit of a top four Premier League finish continues. Five English teams are likely to earn admittance to next season’s Champions League based on current trends, which may open up further leeway for a return to Europe’s premier competition in the North East.

In turn, the opportunity to compete against the best is bound to attract prospective recruits. According to reports, Fiorentina’s Moise Kean is on the Geordies’ wishlist as speculation over Alexander Isak’s future dominates headlines.

Callum Wilson could leave on a free transfer and may be joined by several experienced first-team stars to make way for new blood at St James’ Park.

Newcastle United contracts expiring in 2025

Callum Wilson

No option

Fabian Schar

No option

Jamaal Lascelles

No option

Jamal Lewis

No option

Mark Gillespie

No option

John Ruddy

No option

Defensively, Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah is a target to replenish Newcastle’s backline and may be available in the summer to the tune of £30 million plus add-ons.

Refreshing a squad with several players coming to the end of their cycle is the priority for Howe, who now has a financially advantegeous deal in his sights ahead of the window opening for business.

Newcastle make contact over deal for Lille forward Jonathan David

Joining the pursuit of one of the hottest properties on the market, Newcastle have made contact with Lille star Jonathan David’s representatives over the possibility of a free transfer to St James’ Park this summer.

Liverpool, Manchester United, West Ham United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the mix for his signature, competing against suitors such as Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan from further afield.

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Labelled “unique” by Canada boss Jesse Marsch, David has registered 23 goals and ten assists in 41 appearances across all competitions this campaign. PIF have spent a considerable amount since taking over in the North East, but will hope they can pull off a masterstroke by landing a prolific soon-to-be free agent at no cost to bolster the ranks.

Showcasing his capacity to fit the brief of a modern centre-forward, the Brooklyn-born man has laid on 27 chances for his teammates in Ligue 1 – he is far more than just a goalscorer.

Like any high-profile star at a career crossroads, on-field minutes are likely to determine where he becomes most enthusiastic about heading to in the coming months. Now, the onus is on Newcastle to convince David he can become a regular under Howe.

Ange Postecoglou insists he should not be facing any doubts over his future after guiding Tottenham to Europa League glory.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Spurs lost 4-1 to Brighton on Sunday
• Won the Europa League on Wednesday
• Postecoglou fumes at speculation

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Postecoglou oversaw Tottenham's 4-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday, but the loss – their 22nd of the league season as they finished 17th – came after three consecutive days of celebration after winning the Europa League in Bilbao on Wednesday. In doing so, Postecoglou played his part in ending a 17-year trophy drought, and won Spurs' first European title in 41 years.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  There remains uncertainty, however, over whether the Australian will lead Spurs into the 2025-26 season. He was once again asked the question on the back of the Brighton defeat, and he bristled at the suggestion his future is in doubt. He drew attention to the club's trophy parade, in which over 200,000 Spurs fans lined the streets to get a glimpse of their heroes, with many of them chanting his name.

• WHAT ANGE POSTECOGLOU SAID

  After full-time, Postecoglou said:  "I will be honest, I have been finding it really weird talking about my future when we have done something unprecedented. I have had to answer the questions because no one else at the club is in the position to do so, I guess. But I can’t answer that question about me and my future. Like I said, part of me is thinking, ‘why am I even being asked that question?’ But it is what it is. I have got no doubt, though, that this could be a real defining moment for this club because wherever I have been I have made an impact where I have brought success to a club that hasn’t had it for a while. You just have to look at those clubs' trajectory even after I left, they are still competing for things. I really think this is a moment in time where this club could push on and be a real contender for honours on a yearly basis."

  He added: “You know my gut feeling? My gut feeling is I feel right now that I’ve done something that no one believed I could. And I shouldn’t be sitting here talking about it [my future]. That’s my feeling, but it is what it is. Seeing those scenes Friday [at the club's trophy parade] and people have reached out and talked to me about how it has affected them, what has happened over the last couple of days. It’s a beautiful thing and I just want to enjoy that. To be honest, the rest of it? You know I don’t even want to be talking about it. I just think it is unnecessary. You’re right to ask the question but you’re asking the person who can’t give you that answer. And I guess, even for you guys [the media], you wouldn’t be asking it if there wasn’t a doubt, right? But I can’t answer it. There is nothing I can say that will answer that question. Other people can, so from my perspective, it doesn’t diminish the achievement."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Reports suggest Spurs chairman Daniel Levy remains undecided over Postecoglou's future. It remains to be seen if he will return from his holidays to plan Spurs' summer business, or if he will have to begin searching for a new job. His CV, either way, has undoubtedly been bolstered by Spurs' glorious night in Bilbao.

Megan Schutt, Shabnim Ismail and Sophia Dunkley among the big overseas players not retained by their respective teams

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Oct-2023Delhi CapitalsDelhi Capitals have retained 15 of their 18 squad members. Among the three released are Tara Norris, who was the only Associate player across teams in the inaugural season, and Jasia Akhtar, the Jammu and Kashmir batter known for her power-hitting in India’s domestic circuit. Capitals will go into the 2024 auction with a purse of INR 2.25 crore to fill up to three slots.Squad: Alice Capsey*, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Jonassen*, Laura Harris*, Marizanne Kapp*, Meg Lanning*, Minnu Mani, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Sneha Deepthi, Taniya Bhatia, Titas SadhuReleased: Aparna Mondal, Jasia Akhtar, Tara Norris*Gujarat GiantsGujarat Giants, who finished at the bottom of the points table last season, have released more than half of their squad members, including four overseas players: Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth and Sophia Dunkley. Laura Wolvaardt, who was an injury replacement for Beth Mooney, has been retained, as is Mooney.That means they have ten vacancies now, and will have the biggest purse at the mini-auction – INR 5.95 crore – to fill those.Squad: Ashleigh Gardner*, Beth Mooney*, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harleen Deol, Laura Wolvaardt*, Shabnam Shakil, Sneh Rana, Tanuja KanwarReleased: Annabel Sutherland*, Ashwani Kumari, Georgia Wareham*, Hurley Gala, Kim Garth*, Mansi Joshi, Monica Patel, Parunika Sisodia, Sabbineni Meghana, Sophia Dunkley*, Sushma VermaESPNcricinfo LtdMumbai IndiansDefending champions Mumbai Indians released just four players, out of which only Dhara Gujjar had played any part last season. Since they had only 17 players last time, they have five slots available and a purse of INR 2.1 crore, the smallest among the five franchises.Squad: Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr*, Chloe Tryon*, Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews*, Humaira Kazi, Issy Wong*, Jintimani Kalita, Nat Sciver-Brunt*, Pooja Vastrakar, Priyanka Bala, Saika Ishaque, Yastika BhatiaReleased: Dhara Gujjar, Heather Graham*, Neelam Bisht, Sonam YadavRoyal Challengers BangaloreMegan Schutt, Dane van Niekerk and Erin Burns were the biggest names released by Royal Challengers Bangalore. Schutt played seven out of eight games last season but could pick up just four wickets at an economy of 8.46, while van Niekerk had spent the whole season on the bench. They have seven slots vacant, and INR 3.35 to fill them.Squad: Asha Shobana, Disha Kasat, Ellyse Perry*, Heather Knight*, Indrani Roy, Kanika Ahuja, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine*Released: Dane van Niekerk*, Erin Burns*, Komal Zanzad, Megan Schutt*, Poonam Khemnar, Preeti Bose, Sahana PawarUP WarriorzUP Warriorz retained their core; Shabnim Ismail, who played just three games last season because of the team combination, was the only overseas player released. Among Indians, the franchise let go of Devika Vaidya, Shivali Shinde and Simran Shaikh. Vaidya, who was signed at INR 1.4 crore, managed just 77 runs and one wicket in seven matches. Warriorz will have INR 4 crore at the auction to fill five slots.Squad: Alyssa Healy*, Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris*, Kiran Navgire, Lauren Bell*, Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, S Yashasri, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone*, Tahlia McGrath*Released: Devika Vaidya, Shabnim Ismail*, Shivali Shinde, Simran Shaikh

One of the proudest things about Manchester United is their incredible academy. Over the years, they have produced some legends of football, going back to the Busby Babes and the Class of ’92.

More recently, some of the best Carrington graduates to come out of Old Trafford include Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay. That particular quartet all enjoyed success in the famous red shirt.

Under Rubem Amoirm, there have been several academy stars who have had first-team involvement already. Players with less experience, including striker Chido Obi, have been given minutes, and more prominent members of the squad have featured heavily, including Kobbie Mainoo.

However, one Carrington graduate who has struggled for his best form consistently this term is Alejandro Garnacho.

Alejandro Garnacho's struggle in 2024/25

After a couple of breakout seasons in the past two campaigns, notably scoring that audacious overhead kick against Everton last term, Garnacho has been a little inconsistent in the 2024/25 campaign.

Of course, the Red Devils have struggled as a team, and the Argentina international has been in and out of the side.

The 20-year-old’s numbers are, on the face of things, impressive. He has scored nine times and managed to provide eight goals across all competitions, having featured in 45 games so far this term.

However, his goal involvements have tended to come in clumps, and he grabbed six goals and assists in the first two rounds of the Carabao Cup against Barnsley and Leicester City. He has also grabbed three assists in United’s last three Europa League games.

In the Premier League, the Argentina winger scored last weekend, also against the Foxes, but had previously gone on a 16-game goal and assist drought. The goal was a well-taken finish, getting on the end of a pass from Bruno Fernandes and firing into the bottom right corner.

Garnacho is clearly a talented player, who has shown just how good he can be this term. However, his inconsistencies might lead Amorim to rotate him out of the side more, so he can stay fresh and have more of an impact off the bench.

If this is the case, perhaps there is another Carrington graduate who can help supplement Garnacho’s playing time.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Carrington star breaking through could replace Garnacho

United are not short of quality options in their academy, but perhaps none are more exciting than Gibraltar international James Scanlon.

The 18-year-old winger has been in superb form for the Red Devils U18s this term and has made the bench once for the first team against Real Socidead in the Europa League last week.

The 10-cap Gibraltar star, who has one international goal already, has certainly not forgotten his shooting boots this season for United’s academy. He has 17 goals in 24 games across all competitions, as well as six assists.

Scanlon has been in particularly deadly form in the U18s Premier League for United this season. He has an impressive 13 goals in 13 appearances, including four goals against Blackburn Rovers in a 9-0 win.

Aside from his excellent performances this season, one of the reasons the 18-year-old could be propelled into the United first team is due to his international experience. He has already played senior football for Gibraltar, which will certainly have got him used to the physicality he can expect.

In fact, one of his best performances for the national side came against Wales in a friendly last summer. His side didn’t see much of the ball, but Scanlon impressed in possession and without the ball, too. As per Sofascore, he won three out of five ground duels and completed 80% of his passes.

Touches

18

Pass accuracy

80%

Passes completed

8/10

Ground duels won

3/5

Dribbles completed

1

Tackles and interceptions

2

Tackle win rate

100%

It is certainly hard to argue that giving Scanlon first-team opportunities this season would not be deserved. Not only is he a full international for his nation, but has been “absolutely flying” for United’s youth sides this season, as Statman Dave said.

With Garnacho’s form patchy, perhaps Scanlon is the man to come into the first team and help take the workload off him, to let him rediscover his best form.

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