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Some new comments from Leeds United journalist Phil Hay suggest that some of Michael Beale's Rangers players were not fully fit during his time as manager earlier this year.

Philippe Clement replaces Michael Beale at Rangers

The Gers went into the new Scottish Premiership season hoping to narrow the gap between themselves and rivals Celtic, but it was clear early on that there were problems in the camp.

Beale was under pressure to get some positive early results in the campaign, but instead they stuttered on the pitch, slipping up against the likes of Kilmarnock and Aberdeen, not to mention being dumped out of the Champions League by PSV Eindhoven after a 5-1 defeat in the Netherlands.

Rangers decided to relieve the 43-year-old of his duties in early October, with a change badly need in the Ibrox hot seat, and Philippe Clement has come in as his replacement, steadying the ship and picking up some important wins.

The Gers are still eight points adrift of Celtic in the league table but have a game in hand, and the club feels in a happier place than it did a few months ago, with the decision to get rid of Beale a good one.

One player who Rangers lost during the summer transfer window was Glen Kamara, who moved south of the border to join Leeds United.

Worries over fitness of Kamara at Rangers

Speaking on The Square Ball Podcast [via Leeds United News], the reliable Hay praised the fitness level of Glen Kamara in Leeds' 1-0 win away to Leicester, hinting that there were concerns about his fitness levels coming from Rangers, when Beale was of course in charge:

"Really strong, really good at disrupting what Leicester were trying to do. Got both sides to his game. The fact he hadn’t been involved at Rangers was one of the reasons why it took so long to go through.

"Leeds were in two minds over whether he would come down here and be lacking in fitness that would have stopped him contributing to the season. But that hasn’t looked like a problem, he looks really fit."

It's fair to say that Beale wasn't a popular figure with Rangers supporters by the time he was sacked and replaced by Clement – interestingly, Beale has the second-highest win rate (72.1%) of any Gers manager in history – and Hay's update will only add fuel to the fire.

While there is no guarantee that the Englishman was failing to get his players in the best possible shape at Ibrox, there are certainly suggestions here that that was the case, hence Leeds' reluctance to make a move for Kamara, who had largely been collecting dust under the former QPR boss.

Ultimately, Beale was out of his depth as Rangers manager, considering the size of the job, and he has still predominantly made a name for himself as a coach, impressing at Liverpool and always being admired by Steven Gerrard, who once called him an "expert".

وجه راضي شنيشل، المدير الفني لمنتخب العراق الأولمبي، رسالة تحذيرية إلى نظيره منتخب المغرب قبل مباراتهما المرتقبة غدًا في أولمبياد باريس 2024.

ويلتقي المنتخبان في لقاءات الجولة الثالثة من منافسات كرة القدم في الأولمبياد.

وتمثل المجموعة الثانية وضعًا معقدًا، حيث تمتلك كافة المنتخبات الأربعة، وهم الأرجنتين، المغرب، أوكرانيا والعراق، 3 نقاط.

وقال شنيشل في تصريحاته اليوم لوكالة الأنباء العراقية: “أغلب التوقعات كانت تشير إلى أننا سنذهب من أجل المشاركة فقط وليس المنافسة، هذا أمر طبيعي، نحن نلعب في مجموعة هي الأصعب مقارنة بباقي المجموعات”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ماسكيرانو بعد فوز الأرجنتين على العراق: واجهنا فريقًا قويًا.. ولا نختار خصومنا

وأضاف: “ولكن عطاء ومثابرة لاعبينا نجحت في تغيير الموازين، خاصة في المباراة الأولى التي فزنا بها على منتخب قوي وعنيد (أوكرانيا)، هو خصم صعب والدليل فوزه على المغرب، لتعود كافة المنتخبات إلى نقطة الصفر مجددًا، سيكون الحسم في المواجهتين الأخيرتين”.

وواصل: “مباراتنا أمام المغرب للتاريخ، نحن نحترم إمكانيات وتاريخ الكرة المغربية التي تضم نجومًا كبارًا، لكن لدينا القدرة والإمكانية على الحد من خطورتهم”.

وشدد: “سنلعب بشكل مغاير تمامًا لأنها مباراة حاسمة ولا تقبل القسمة على اثنين، مع أمنياتنا بأن تكون النتيجة لصالحنا ومواصلة المشوار إلى أبعد نقطة”.

1:19

Was it a lack of self-belief that cost Pakistan?

Those who have been following cricket for only about the last ten years, those who don’t know the history between the two countries, must be wondering what all the fuss around India-Pakistan matches is about. Yet another mismatch added to a long list of forgettable recent matches between the two teams as Pakistan failed to compete with an efficient India line-up. From the time they won the toss, Pakistan hardly put a foot right: they batted first at a bowl-first ground, they started and ended their innings poorly, the fielding was pedestrian, and India did what good sides do: keep giving an error-prone opposition every possible reason to make another mistake. They were all but through to the final of the Asia Cup.India were thoroughly professional and dynamic under their stand-in captain Rohit Sharma. The fast bowlers executed their plan of cramping up the left-hand openers, a legspinner came on early enough in a data-based decision, Jasprit Bumrah thwarted a Shoaib Malik fifty with four overs of excellent death bowling, and for the second match in a row against Pakistan, Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan almost had a net in the middle to seal an easy win.The game began with the continuous fascinating examination of Fakhar Zaman. India hardly gave him any room to hit the ball through off side in the first seven overs, giving him just six off 24 balls. Straight bowling has been a weakness for Zaman, but as he showed in the Champions Trophy final last year, he can catch up as the innings progresses. Rohit, though, changed things around just as Zaman would have started to settle down. As early as the eighth over, India had Yuzvendra Chahal on. Though the wicket – Chahal’s first in Powerplays in ODIs – was that of Imam-ul-Haq’s, Zaman has been out twice to Jeffrey Vandersay and once to Adil Rashid already in his short career. Legspin against Zaman was a good match-up.Zaman, though, showed good awareness and backed himself to catch up later, much like Rohit himself has done after many a tough start. He began to turn it around with a slog-swept six and four off Kuldeep Yadav, taking his strike rate past 70, but fell in a double unfortunate manner. Looking for a regulation sweep this time, he slipped as his front foot landed, and in the process, failed to feel the impact of the ball on the glove before it hit his pad. Given lbw, he was suggested by non-striker Babar Azam to not review, which is fair because he looked adjacent and there was no way for Azam to tell there was glove involved when the batsman himself didn’t know.Under-pressure captain Sarfraz Ahmed – one fifty in the last year – promoted himself and began by selling Azam a dummy, making it two run-outs for Pakistan in two matches against India. Malik, though, got back to scoring runs against India after a spell of eight India matches without a score of 50. That was an extraordinary delay as he had scored 14 of those in 40 matches previously.It was a trademark Malik innings. He was barely seen scoring those 78 runs in 90 balls. Quietly a gap would be picked and he would be at the other end. If there was a dry spell, he would break it with a calculated risk and then go back to accumulating. Towards the final overs, there seemed to be a crescendo building. Asif Ali hit Bhuvneshwar for a six, four and six to consign him to his worst over in ODIs: 22 runs. Rohit again went to legspin: when playing seam, Asif’s strike-rate in ODIs is twice that of against spin; the dip is significant in PSL too. Chahal delivered the wicket, and Bumrah took over with an exceptional spell of 4-0-15-2. Yorkers came out perfectly as he kept things simple against a lower-middle order that didn’t show the ability to innovate.Only 38 came off the last seven overs, which had all but ended the contest half an hour after you felt Pakistan, for the first time in these two matches, had managed to reach parity. Worst fears were about to come through. The ball did nothing for Pakistan bowlers, and the pitch only quickened up under the lights, making stroke-making even easier. There was no swing for Mohammad Amir even though the 18-year-old Shaheen Afridi created a little bit of excitement. Soon he was in for the Amir treatment as he drew a catch from Rohit with a slower ball, Imam made it the fourth one dropped off the pacer’s bowling in two games.Amir was taken out, Hasan Ali struggled with the new ball, Amir came back, Afridi kept trying, but Rohit and Dhawan kept dispatching them all without a bother. Rohit now handled even Shadab Khan easily despite his recent troubles against legspin. Another catch went down. Amir has now gone 35.4 overs without a wicket in ODIs.With their wives sitting next to each other, Rohit and Dhawan went on to put together India’s biggest opening stand against Pakistan; their 13th hundred stand was now the second-most for India openers. Unlike in the previous game, there were enough runs for the duo to get hundreds. Otherwise, the chase was as easy as the 163 the other night.

أعلن مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، برئاسة محمود الخطيب، التعاقد مع مدير فني جديد لقيادة فريق كرة القدم النسائية خلال الفترة القادمة.

وكان النادي الأهلي، أعلن تكوين فريق الكرة النسائية، بعدما أصبح أحد المتطلبات الرئيسية للحصول على رخصة الأندية المحترفة من قبل الاتحادين المصري والإفريقي لكرة القدم.

وكلف مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي في الفترة الماضية، لاعب الفريق السابق شادي محمد، أن يكون مديرًا لجهاز الكرة النسائية بالنادي.

طالع.. خاص | بطولات يكشف مدى صحة اهتمام الأهلي بضم صفقات عراقية هجومية

ووفقًا للموقع الرسمي للأهلي، أعلن أمير توفيق، القائم بأعمال المدير التنفيذي لشركة الأهلي لكرة القدم، ومدير التعاقدات عن تعيين الفرنسي ديميتري لوبوف مديرًا فنيًّا لفريق الكرة النسائية لمدة ثلاث سنوات.

وقال توفيق: “لوبوف سوف يحضر للقاهرة خلال أيام لاستلام المهمة والتنسيق مع الكابتن شادي محمد، رئيس جهاز الكرة النسائية، استعدادًا للموسم الجديد”.

Alexi Lalas claimed that Lionel Messi's Inter Miami have successfully established themselves as 'the villains' of MLS 2024.

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• Lalas claimed Inter Miami are 'the villains' of MLS 2024
• Messi lifted the club's stature
• Unbeaten in their first three MLS matches

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Fox Sports analyst agreed that since Lionel Messi arrived at the club last summer, the standard of Inter Miami has rise. He also claimed that the team are slowly attaining the 'super club' status' and that may supporters now wish for The Herons to fail.

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• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  Responding to a user's statement on X that read "Inter MLS have established themselves as this years Villains," Lalas wrote, "Yup, @InterMiamiCF is must-see because of Messi…and they keep producing moments and results. The mark of a SuperClub™ is as many people want to see you fail as succeed…but they all want to see you."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After the Argentine joined the David Beckham-owned club, they lifted their first-ever trophy last season by winning the inaugural edition of the Leagues Cup beating Nashville in the final. They have also made some significant signings with former Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez following Messi to the MLS.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

  Gerardo Martino's side are off to a flying start in the new season having secured seven points from the first three matches. The Eastern Conference leaders will be next seen in action against Montreal on March 10 in the MLS.

The Sunrisers medium-pacer decodes how they have been able to defend two low targets in as many games, without Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Billy Stanlake

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Apr-20181:56

Each of our bowlers is playing his role well – Sandeep

How difficult is it for a team to stage a turnaround – defend two low totals in consecutive games after conceding 180-plus in two back-to-back matches before that? That, too, with a depleted pace contingent without spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Billy Stanlake? Ask Sandeep Sharma, and he’ll decode Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling might that humbled his former side Kings XI Punjab by 13 runs while defending 132.”All the bowlers are playing their roles very well which is why we’ve been able to defend two low totals. Our bowling unit is going to get a lot of confidence from these two wins,” Sandeep said after the match. “We had bowled very well in the last game too [against Mumbai Indians], and our bowling unit is performing together, which is very important.”Sandeep’s role in that line-up, as he said, was to assess the pitch as soon as possible after opening the bowling and advise the rest of the bowlers. Varying the length between full and good length, Sandeep made generous use of his slower-ball variations, including the knuckleball, in his three-over opening spell that conceded only 11 runs. Even though Kings XI marched to 44 for 0 in the Powerplay, he tied both Chris Gayle and KL Rahul down with 10 dot balls and a solitary four off his first 18 deliveries.”Since I bowl the first over with the new ball, I am able to read the pitch quickly. I try to convey that message to the other bowlers,” Sandeep said of his role in the absence of Bhuvneshwar and Stanlake. “Today, the knuckleballs and slower ones were getting a lot of help from the pitch and were getting stuck. They were not easy to hit. I gave them that suggestion and you must have seen that Basil Thampi got Gayle with a slower ball. So I just try to convey this message to the other bowlers as soon as possible.”A 139kmh delivery on full length in Thampi’s first over had been bludgeoned over long-on for six by Gayle. In the ninth over and his second, Thampi took the pace off and bowled one short which Gayle top-edged and Thampi sprinted to square leg to pouch a return catch.”To bowl a slower one on that particular delivery wasn’t really my idea but I had given him (Thampi) the suggestion that the slower ball is getting a lot of help from the pitch so you can bowl more of those than the seam-up deliveries.”Even though Kings XI’s prolific opening pair registered their fourth fifty stand in as many innings, Sandeep counted the early dismissals of Gayle and Rahul as the crucial junctures in the game.”There wasn’t any one turning point because we were defending such a low total,” he said. “It was important for our bowlers to play their roles properly. Like Rashid Khan got KL [Rahul] out and Gayle’s wicket was very important. Their openers have been doing really well so it was important to take those two wickets and after that there were two back-to-back wickets in my over which were also very important. Collectively, we bowled well.”With Sunrisers now positioned second only to Chennai Super Kings on the points table, Sandeep attributed the team’s resilience to captain Kane Williamson’s cool-headed demeanour on the field. On April 24 too, Williamson led his team to a 31-run win against Mumbai, after they had been bowled out for only 118.”Kane Williamson is a really good captain. He is really calm. These are pressure games but he’s always calm on the ground,” Sandeep said. “He always remains positive. Even though we didn’t score much, he said, ‘We will give our best, we won’t look at the scoreboard. We will give it our best shot and then if we lose, it doesn’t matter.’ It obviously helps your team if your leader is so calm and gives you positive vibes.”He had said that we’re not going to focus on the situation of the match, we will just focus on our bowling. We’ll keep trying to take wickets. That was the plan and it worked for us tonight.”

Fulham are now "working on" a deal to sign Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who is also a major target for another Premier League club…

What's the latest Fulham transfer news?

It appears as though Joao Palhinha could be on his way out of the door before tonight's 11pm deadline, with a verbal agreement over a transfer fee now being reached with Bayern Munich, although the final details and clauses still need to be clarified.

As such, the Cottagers will have to bring in a replacement quickly, and they have opened talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a deal for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who is willing to listen to the proposal put forward, given his lack of game time in north London.

In the same report, it is detailed that several players have been contacted, including Manchester United's Scott McTominay and AS Monaco's Youssouf Fofana, with Marco Silva keen to bring in another central midfielder before the transfer window closes.

Man United rejected an offer of £30m for McTominay earlier in the transfer window, indicating the Scotland international could now cost even more, as we are so close to the deadline, particularly if they are unable to bring in another central midfielder themselves.

In fact, the main player the Red Devils have been keen on is Amrabat, with Football Insider reporting they have recently made a breakthrough in talks with Fiorentina, meaning he has been given the green light to travel to Manchester for his medical.

The Telegraph report that Fiorentina are ready to loan the midfielder to Man United, but only if any deal includes an obligation to buy at the end of the season, with a fee of around €30m (£26m) being discussed.

The 27-year-old has been waiting for United's interest to materialise, indicating he would be keen on a move to Old Trafford, but there could soon be another offer from a Premier League club on the table, with Fulham being named as potential suitors.

In an update from Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio on X, it is detailed the Cottagers are actively "working on" a deal to sign the Moroccan for €30m (£26m), so they could end up hijacking Man United's move.

Is Sofyan Amrabat a CDM?

The Morocco international's main position is defensive midfield, although he is capable of playing slightly further forward, indicating he could be a like-for-like replacement for Palhinha, but the two players have different skill sets.

While Palhinha is exceptional defensively, ranking in the 99th percentile for tackles, and the 90th percentile for aerials won and clearances per 90 over the past year, Amrabat's main strength is his passing, placing in the 99th percentile for his pass completion rate.

The Fiorentina star has been lauded as a "raging bull" by Moroccan journalist Amine El Amri, who also dubbed him "the best midfielder" at the 2022 World Cup, so it is clear that he appears to be a top-quality player. However, while Amrabat would still be a good addition to the squad, it may be worth looking at other players who specialise defensively, and Hojbjerg could be a more viable option.

Tottenham Hotspur's start to the season has been nothing short of exceptional, with the doom and gloom that previously surrounded the club having been well and truly expunged by the upbeat and all-action philosophy that Ange Postecoglou has brought.

Although fans are likely aware that such form will not last forever, there are actually things on the horizon that are set to strengthen the Lilywhites rather than dent their feel-good factor. One of those is the return of Rodrigo Bentancur.

When will Rodrigo Bentancur be fit?

As one of the few stars of last campaign, Bentancur's injury came at a terrible time for Antonio Conte, who was seemingly losing his patience with each passing game week.

So, to see one of his key acquisitions struck down for the foreseeable future must have been supremely frustrating for the 54-year-old, who would be sacked just one month later.

Fast-forward from the innocuous challenge that led to the rupture of his ACL, and the Uruguay international still remains out of action today, but with his return date set at around November.

Should Postecoglou manage to maintain their form until then, welcoming back the former Juventus maestro could provide that extra firepower and energy from the engine room to truly take their season to the next level.

After all, the Australian had noted: "He’s definitely keen. And it’ll be great to get him back because his contribution when he first came to the club was outstanding. In many respects he’ll be like another new signing for us, which is great, but we won’t rush it."

Joining alongside Dejan Kulusevski for just £20m, the 26-year-old only really seemed to hit his stride during the 2022/23 term, with his five goals and two assists proving vital across his 18 Premier League appearances.

Despite missing a huge chunk of the campaign, his tally was only bettered by Harry Kane and Heung-min Son from within the Spurs squad, with Statman Dave highlighting one "monster" of a performance back in September 2022.

As such, his 7.21 average rating made him their second-highest-rated player, further buoyed by his 85% pass accuracy, 0.6 key passes and 2.5 tackles per game, via Sofascore. The hope will be that his return to the side could prove pivotal in maintaining their impressive form, with his relationship with James Maddison sure to be key.

How good is James Maddison?

The former Leicester City star has taken to life in north London with ease after his £40m move, swiftly becoming one of Postecoglou's most important figures.

With two goals and two assists in just four games, he is deservedly their highest-rated player in the league, and as such has earned praise from pundit Joe Cole: "The more I think about it he could be the best signing of the summer. I am so excited for him, especially the way Ange plays."

Given the former Celtic tactician has often operated with two number eights within his system, who help to both spearhead the press and uphold their attack, perhaps Bentancur's return could see him take this spot alongside Maddison as the perfect combination both physically and technically.

Highest-rated players in Premier League

Average Rating

Rodri (Manchester City)

8.20

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

8.10

James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)

8.07

Heung-min Son (Tottenham Hotspur)

7.95

Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace)

7.85

All stats via Sofascore

After all, clearly his defensive credentials are at the necessary level, and his 6 foot 2 frame helps to make him a unique profile compared to the silky 26-year-old magician.

The only downside would be to push Pape Sarr out of the starting side, who too has enjoyed a fine start to the term.

However, at 20 years old, he still has plenty of growing to do despite having posted a 7.40 average rating in the league, upheld by one goal, one assist, one key pass and 4.3 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.

At the very least it will be an enthralling watch to see who comes out on top in the battle for this midfield spot, if the Senegalese star is to maintain his form until Bentancur's return.

Nathan Lyon has suggested Matt Prior “wanted to fly home” during the 2013-14 Ashes because he was intimidated by Mitchell Johnson

George Dobell in Brisbane20-Nov-2017

Matt Prior has dismissed claims he wanted to fly home from the last Ashes tour because he was scared of Mitchell Johnson’s bowling as “laughable”.The claims were made by Nathan Lyon who suggested the entire England team were terrified of Johnson during the 2013-14 series and said he “nearly had to push a couple of the guys back towards the stumps” from his fielding position at leg slip.Lyon, the Australian offspinner, was particularly critical of Prior whom he accused of “wanting to fly home” ahead of the Perth Test. Lyon went on to say he hoped Australia would end the careers of more England players in this series.”Seeing Mitchell Johnson scare all the Poms was unbelievable,” Lyon said. “I was at leg slip and I nearly had to push a couple of the guys back towards the stumps. It was good fun.”Leading into Perth we knew that they were broken. We knew Matt Prior wanted to fly home before the game started and he was one of the senior players. He was scared.”Prior, who was dropped after the third Test, said Lyon’s comments were “completely ridiculous” and untrue.”If that was the case and I was scared, why didn’t I go home then?” Prior said. “I have no idea where this has come from. It’s completely ridiculous and all I can do is laugh. It is wholeheartedly untrue.”I stayed out there and what hurt me more was that I was dropped for the last two Tests because I wasn’t playing well.”I hope the first Test goes well for Nathan. I will be watching with interest to see how he goes. He has other things to worry about rather than thinking about me. I hope he lets his cricket do the talking now.”Lyon also stated that Australia’s current attack was better and quicker than the one that inflicted a 5-0 whitewash upon England in 2013-14.”They are quicker,” Lyon said of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. “In the nets, definitely. I saw Steve Smith land on his backside the other day. Johnson didn’t do that.”I’m not getting in the nets to face them because they are bowling way too quick for my liking. They are class bowlers.”But the best bowler in the world is Josh Hazlewood. He can swing the new ball in and out, he can seam it, he can bowl fast, he can bowl a nice bouncer, he can reverse an old ball. His consistency, the pace he bowls at and the way he controls the game is incredible. In my book he’s the No. 1 bowler in the world.”Lyon went on to raise a few more spectres from the 2013-14 series in Australia, when Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann were among the long-standing members of the England dressing room whose careers finished, while the coach, Andy Flower, also stepped down.”I know Joe Root got dropped last time when he was here, so it’d be good to get him dropped again,” Lyon said. “If we can start by opening up that crack, it’s pretty crucial. There’s a lot of scars for the English guys, especially coming over here, especially when we have two guys bowling 150kph and not just one now.”Could we end some careers? I hope so.”

Jonny Bairstow has indicated he would consider taking the matter of Australia’s sledging further if they “crossed the line” again later in the series

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2017Jonny Bairstow has said he wants to move on from the sledging episode that marred England’s defeat in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, but added he would consider taking the matter further if Australia “crossed the line” again later in the series.Writing in his column, Bairstow denied that Australia’s players bringing up his “headbutt” greeting of Cameron Bancroft earlier in the tour had contributed to his dismissal in the second innings at the Gabba, when he was caught at third man trying to ramp Mitchell Starc. Saying he had been “stitched up” by the episode, he admitted to being unsettled by Australia’s verbal attack but said it was not the reason for the shot.He also added that “some other things” were said at the time, which would stay in the middle. That followed Matt Prior’s claims to BBC 5 Live earlier in the week that the England players were upset by what had gone on in Brisbane.The unspoken implication is that, however much Steve Smith’s Australians insist they do not “cross the line”, England have reason to think that they did.Bairstow did not want to “make an issue” of what else was said while he was batting, beyond suggesting that relations between the two sides had improved.”Some other things, apart from the ‘headbutt’ business, were said by Australia in the middle but what they were is staying there. We move on. Hopefully it’s gone now. I’m not making an issue of it. Only if they are said again would the matter go further. We just need to get on with trying to get back in this series.”The second Test was played in a good spirit, tough but fair. There were some verbals from both teams but this time nothing crossed the line. Clashes like we saw in Adelaide are part of sport.”England’s ten-wicket defeat in the first Test was overshadowed by claims made on the fourth evening that Bairstow had headbutted Bancroft, which brought a renewed focus on team socialising. While confirming there was nothing malicious in what Bairstow had done, Andrew Strauss said the players needed to be smarter on tour and instigated a midnight curfew – something which has been relaxed while the squad is in Perth.”Did I feel as if I had been stitched up? Yes I did in many ways, but at the same time I honestly never thought of it as anything to worry about,” Bairstow wrote. “I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong and, more importantly, the team and management knew that too.”Australia, as they have admitted, were trying to use it to get under my skin. Realising what they were doing was important. I never said a thing back to them … It did get to me a bit when they started sledging me because I didn’t know what they were talking about. But I can honestly say the shot I got out to in the second innings had nothing to do with it.”I played a bad shot. You have to take a few risks when you’re batting with the tail and the truth is I had forgotten they had a third man.”Jonny Bairstow wore a dejected look as England stuttered just before tea•Getty Images

Bairstow’s dismissal came as England lost their last four wickets for 10 runs, with Australia subsequently chasing down a target of 170 for no loss. They extended their lead to 2-0 in Adelaide, with a 120-run win.Ahead of the Adelaide Test, Steven Smith was asked if Australia’s players had crossed the line of what was acceptable at any stage and he replied, “I think everything was fine”. England’s coach, Trevor Bayliss, said he was uncomfortable with the level of sledging and would prefer that stumps microphones were turned down.However, Prior, the former England wicketkeeper, claimed in a radio interview during the second Test that Australia had gone too far and the full story had yet to come out.”There’s a lot that’s gone on that I think the England players are quite upset about – and rightfully from what I’ve heard,” he said. “There’s been a lot of chat on the pitch that hasn’t got anything to do with cricket and frankly shouldn’t be on a cricket pitch – stuff that hasn’t come out, for various reasons.”