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Mitchell Starc has been included for the ODIs against India but Glenn Maxwell remains sidelined from the T20Is with his wrist injury

Andrew McGlashan07-Oct-20254:12

Was replacing Rohit as captain the right call?

Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia’s ODI squad to face India with his Queensland team-mate Matt Renshaw in line for a debut in the format.Labuschagne’s omission is not a huge surprise as he has a top score of 47 in his last ten ODI innings. He may not have featured against South Africa in August had Matt Short, who is included in this squad, not been ruled out with a side strain. A benefit of his omission is that he can continue to push for a Test recall in the Sheffield Shield, having started the season with 160 against Tasmania.Renshaw’s call-up comes off the back of an impressive run in List A cricket, which included a century for Australia A against Sri Lanka in Darwin during the winter. While he is currently opening in red-ball cricket – and could be an outside contender for the Ashes – he has flourished largely as a No. 3 and No. 4 in the 50-over game. Since November 2021, he has averaged 48.68 with six of his seven career centuries, and has also developed into a very effective middle-order T20 batter.He was previously included in an ODI squad to face Pakistan in 2022 but didn’t get a game.ESPNcricinfo LtdMitchell Starc, who hasn’t played ODIs since last November, has also been included in what is a full-strength squad from the players available. Alex Carey will miss the opening game of the series in Perth so he can play the second round of Sheffield Shield for South Australia, having missed the first match after his call-up to the T20I squad in New Zealand.Fellow wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has recovered from the calf strain that kept him out of that series and is part of both the ODIs and T20Is. The initial squad for the T20Is is only for the first two games of the series with some management of multi-format players likely to happen for the final three games for those involved in the Ashes.Glenn Maxwell remains unavailable for the T20Is due to the broken wrist he suffered ahead of the New Zealand series.Cameron Green has been included for the ODIs but won’t feature in the T20Is as he prepares to face England, and will likely play more Shield games for Western Australia.Matt Renshaw has impressed in white-ball cricket over the last few seasons•Getty Images”We have named a squad for the ODI series and first two games of the T20 series as there will be some management through the back end of the series as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “The majority of the T20 squad will remain together as it’s an important period in the build towards the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test series ahead.”Allrounder Cooper Connolly, who took 5 for 22 against South Africa in Mackay, retained his place in the ODI squad. He has enjoyed a productive tour of India with Australia A, making two half-centuries in the three-match one-day series.Mitchell Owen also has a chance to make an ODI debut having been ruled out of the South Africa series after a concussion.Mitchell Starc will play his first ODIs in nearly a year•Getty ImagesNathan Ellis returned to the T20I squad after missing the New Zealand tour for the birth of his first child. There is no room for Sean Abbott in the ODI group but he has kept his T20 spot.The ODIs against India will take place in Perth (October 19), Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25). The first two T20Is are in Canberra (October 29) and Melbourne (October 31) before the final three matches in early November.Australia ODI squad vs IndiaMitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Owen, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam ZampaAustralia T20I squad vs India (first two matches) Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Liverpool are now reportedly exploring a deal to sign Jarrod Bowen after West Ham United shared what it would take for them to sell their star man in 2026.

Those at Anfield have set their sights on another attacking addition with their summer spending yet to come good. Club-record signing Alexander Isak has scored just one goal in all competitions and has largely faced fitness issues during his time at Anfield so far. Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz – although gradually improving – is yet to find the back of the net.

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Suddenly, after a major spending spree, the Reds have looked out of ideas going forward at times. On paper, an attacking blend of Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitie and Cody Gakpo should result in endless goals. In reality, however, it’s a combination which simply hasn’t worked so far.

Former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville didn’t hold back after Liverpool’s recent 3-0 defeat against Manchester City either, claiming that Wirtz is a “problem” for Arne Slot.

The November international break has handed the Premier League champions some much-needed reprieve and it’s a break that must see Slot come up with a solution for his side’s problems.

As much as Neville has criticised Wirtz, the truth is that the German hasn’t been Liverpool’s greatest problem in recent weeks. No player in the Premier League has created more chances than the former Bayer Leverkusen man in all competitions, yet the numbers show that he’s got just one assist to his name. For the most part in recent weeks, he’s played his part.

Instead, the big problem lies with those ahead of him who have been wasteful. It’s sparked concerns that Salah could be past his best and those at Anfield are already reportedly eyeing his replacement as a result.

Liverpool exploring Jarrod Bowen move

As reported by Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Liverpool are now exploring a move to sign Bowen ahead of 2026. Whilst West Ham are expected to turn down any advances at this stage, they would reportedly consider selling their captain if an interested party submitted an ‘irresistible’ offer.

Liverpool proved that they’re not afraid to splash the cash in the summer just gone, so the Hammers’ stance should give them a glimmer of hope that they could yet sign Bowen, who shares an agent with Andy Robertson.

As for the forward, himself, if anyone deserves a big move it is him. Bowen has dragged West Ham to European glory, kept them in the Premier League and become an undisputed legend at the London Stadium. Now, if Liverpool come calling, he should grab hold of the opportunity with both hands.

The 28-year-old has already experienced what it’s like to score at Anfield with West Ham, but could yet get the chance to celebrate in front of The Kop week in, week out in 2026.

Jurgen Klopp called Bowen his “favourite player” in 2023 and could watch from afar as the West Ham man completes a move to Merseyside three years later.

Liverpool and Arsenal scouting new right-back who pocketed Gakpo

Left-armer will lead Australia’s pace attack in the opening Ashes Test in the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood

Alex Malcolm19-Nov-2025The last man standing of Australia’s big three, Mitchell Starc, says he may take on a little bit of extra responsibility as the senior man in their new-look pace attack. But he believes Scott Boland’s experience and Brendan Doggett’s form will hold them in good stead in the opening Ashes Test in Perth.Starc, 35, is Australia’s ironman having not missed a Test through injury since he broke his finger on Boxing Day in 2022. He reached his 100th Test and took his 400th Test wicket in Australia’s last Test match in July. He will lead the attack in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in Perth and remarkably will be the only one of Australia’s quicks to have bowled in a first-class game at Perth Stadium, with Boland and Doggett having only played BBL matches at the venue.Related

• Hazlewood out of Ashes opener with hamstring injury

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• Ashes FAQ: Do England really have a chance?

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But Starc is confident both men will handle the big occasion at the start of the series. “I think we’re all pretty clear on what our roles are,” he said on Wednesday.”Obviously I’ve got a little bit more experience there. Scotty’s been around for a fair while now, so it’s not like I’m telling him what to do. We’ve got Patty in the sheds with us anyway. So yeah, I may take on a little bit of an experienced role, if you like. But we’ve all been around the traps for a while, so it’s just staying together as a group.”Starc believes Doggett will be able to handle the pressure of an Ashes series as he seems certain to debut as Australia’s third quick in the attack. Starc first met Doggett in 2018 when they toured the UAE together for a series against Pakistan and believes he has come a long way since his first tour with Australia’s Test squad.”Brendan was a lot younger and rawer then,” Starc said. “We knew what he was about, and since then he’s made the change to South Australia. I think he’s come in red-hot. He’s had a good couple of weeks. We as a group know what he’s capable of, and the skills that he presents. And being a little bit older than back in 2018, he’s probably a little bit more comfortable in his own skin and around the group. So really excited if he gets his opportunity this week to see what he can do on a Test arena. Having had him around the group for a while over the years, I think he’s certainly in a great headspace.”Starc and Doggett put on a clinic in the Perth Stadium nets on Wednesday morning under overcast skies after Australia’s training was delayed briefly due to a lightning strike.Brendan Doggett and Mitchell Starc warm up at Australia training•Getty Images

The Perth Stadium nets have been tough work for batters all week and the pair peppered Steven Smith, Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a hour-long spell. Starc nicked off Smith and looked in superb rhythm having rediscovered something during his recent Sheffield Shield outing after shaking out some rust in the ODI series against India.He admitted he didn’t bowl as well as Cummins did in the nets on Monday. Cummins did not bowl on Wednesday but was at training after missing the optional session on Tuesday. The injured skipper is edging closer to a return in Brisbane having pulled up well from his eight-over spell on Monday.”Probably understand why he doesn’t train much, because when he does, he makes us all look silly,” Starc said. “He was really, really sharp the other day. Sounds like he’s pulling up pretty well. So very positive.”Cummins’ absence with the ball is a major blow but his absence with the bat is arguably harder to cover. Doggett’s first-class average is just 8.57 and he’s never made a half-century although he has a top score of 49. He will likely bat at No. 11 behind Boland with Nathan Lyon elevating to No. 9 and Starc returning to No. 8, a spot he has been trying to avoid for a number of years as his batting has declined quite steeply since his significant early career contributions.”I’ve been trying to get rid of No. 8 for a while, and now I have to go back there,” Starc said. “You all think we fight about getting higher up the order. We all fight to get lower.”We know how important, how beneficial contributions there can be to first innings, second innings, setting up a total, whatever it may be. That’ll play a part. I will keep working on it.”

Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign a 19-year-old speedster who’s even quicker than Mohamed Salah, according to reports.

Saudi still eyeing Salah move

When Salah finally ended any rumours by signing a two-year contract extension at Liverpool last season, it looked as though that would be that. Anfield’s Egyptian King looked destined to steal the headlines for at least another couple of years and perhaps even retire in Merseyside.

Things haven’t gone quite as smooth sailing since that new deal, however. Having been dropped by Arne Slot in Liverpool’s victory over West Ham United, serious questions have been asked about Salah’s place in Liverpool’s best side as they look to return to their most clinical form. And, as such, rumours surrounding his future have once again emerged.

This time last season, Salah was arguably the best player in the world. He was leading Liverpool’s shock title charge. One year on, though, he’s arguably becoming more disposable at Anfield than ever before.

Slot will be hoping that a recent blip is not the beginning of a steep decline, but it is something that Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are already preparing for.

Ferdinand says he spoke to manager in the Middle East this weekend about joining Liverpool

Arne Slot is still under pressure.

ByTom Cunningham Dec 2, 2025

The Anfield chiefs already smashed their transfer record twice in the summer to reshape their attack around Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. Whilst neither have been at their best quite as yet, their arrivals were sign of things to come.

Now, ahead of 2026, Liverpool are reportedly in pole position to sign Yan Diomande and add to their frontline once again.

Liverpool in advanced talks to sign Yan Diomande

According to Sky Sports’ Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool are now in advanced talks to sign Diomande, forcing Barcelona to retreat in the race to sign the RB Leipzig winger.

Battling alongside Tottenham, the Reds could land their next top speedster in the new year. To put into context just how quick Diomande is, the Leipzig star has clocked a top speed of 35.98 KM/H in the Bundesliga season, which betters Salah’s 33.7 KM/H speed in the Premier League this time last year.

What’s more, only Oliver Burke has recorded a quicker speed than Diomande this season, showcasing exactly why he’s found himself on Liverpool’s radar.

As Leipzig’s managing director, Marcel Schafer, reiterated though, the winger is not just all about speed. The 19-year-old star is also a fine finisher with four goals so far this season and is an excellent dribbler.

In pole position for his signature, Liverpool should push on and secure Diomande’s arrival when 2026 arrives.

FSG could see £75m bid accepted to sign Liverpool their best LW since Mane

Sean Williams, the veteran Zimbabwe batter, will not be considered for national selection and his central contract will not be renewed after Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said he disclosed to them that he has been struggling with drug addiction.In a statement, ZC referred to “a history of disciplinary issues and repeated unavailability, which has impacted team preparations and performance”.Williams, 39, has played 273 matches for Zimbabwe across all formats in an international career spanning more than 20 years, but ZC confirmed that his contract will not be renewed beyond the end of 2025.Related

• Williams released from Zimbabwe squad for T20 WC Africa Qualifier

• Sean Williams has been around the block and then some

Williams had most recently withdrawn from the Zimbabwe squad on the eve of the Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers, citing “personal reasons”. On Tuesday, ZC revealed that they had conducted an internal investigation to understand the reason for his unavailability, after which Williams had disclosed to the board that he has been struggling with drug addiction, and had voluntarily entered into rehab.”ZC expects all contracted players to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and compliance with team protocols and anti-doping regulations,” the board said in its statement. “While ZC commends him for seeking rehabilitation, withdrawal from team commitments under circumstances involving potential testing raises serious concerns regarding professional and ethical standards.”Since making his international debut in 2005, Williams has scored more than 8000 runs across all formats for Zimbabwe. He was most prolific in ODIs, making 5217 runs at an average of 37.53, with eight hundreds and 37 fifties. Earlier this year, he overtook James Anderson to become the longest-serving active international cricketer.Williams, however, was also never far from controversies or from a fractured relationship with ZC. Although he led the U-19 side in the World Cup in Sri Lanka in February 2006 – the highlight being a win over England – there were rumours both before and after the tournament that he was not happy with the board. Williams subsequently turned down a central contract the following month, opting to look for a more settled career overseas. However, he changed his mind three months later, thus returning to play for Zimbabwe. The on-off farrago resurfaced in 2008 when he again quit for a contract in South Africa, only to return weeks later.In late 2014, despite being one of Zimbabwe’s best players of spin, Williams was not considered for the tour of Bangladesh after interruptions in his involvement in a training camp, and an aborted disciplinary hearing.”ZC sincerely acknowledges and appreciates his immense contribution to Zimbabwean cricket over the past two decades,” the board said. “Williams has played a pivotal role in some of the most significant moments in our recent history, leaving a lasting legacy both on and off the field. ZC wishes him strength in his recovery, and every success in his future endeavours.”

Coach Sammy doesn’t want to “let the pitch play on our minds” while his Bangladesh counterpart felt it looked like a “normal Mirpur wicket”

Mohammad Isam17-Oct-2025

Going by the reactions of both Phil Simmons and Darren Sammy, how exactly will the pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium play?The Bangladesh and West Indies coaches wore curious smiles when they were asked about the pitch ahead of the first ODI. West Indies coach Sammy said he had “never seen anything like it before,” while his Bangladesh counterpart called it a “normal Mirpur wicket.”A sneak peek of the pitch, captured by one journalist, revealed a black surface – typical for this venue. Sammy said the West Indies players would have to assess the conditions before deciding on how they are going to approach batting here.Related

Bangladesh, West Indies prepare to do battle with puzzles to solve

“I’m not sure if we can replicate it; we’ve never seen anything like that before,” Sammy said. “I don’t know how to describe it. However, we will not let the pitch play on our minds. Wherever we go, the mantra remains the same: you still have to assess the conditions that you are faced with. And then once you’ve assessed it, you’ve got to decide what skill set is required to be successful, and then you back yourself in your delivery. And that’s where you add something to your game: ADD (Assess, Decide, Deliver).”Simmons suggested the pitch would bring some turn into the contest. “It looks like a normal Mirpur wicket,” he said. “So, it usually has some sort of turn in it, which is good.”Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons felt the lack of form of the top order had forced Mehidy Hasan Miraz to curb his attacking style•Randy Brooks

West Indies have brought a group of young batters into the ODI setup for this tour of Bangladesh. Only captain Shai Hope and Roston Chase have played in these conditions previously. Hope said he was sharing his knowledge with the rest of the group.”I am trying to share as much experience as I can,” Hope said. “When you play in foreign conditions, it’s very important as an experienced player or as a senior player in the team to share all the knowledge that you possibly can. In this situation, we all have a desire to do well for the West Indies, and it’s very important as a cricketer, especially as a batter, to come into these conditions and perform well.”So all the little learning that I would have gained from my previous trip – it’s about having those conversations with the remaining batters and trying to get the best out of each and every one of us.”At least West Indies have played in India recently. The home side, on the other hand, have a lot to worry about, especially with their batting line-up. There are only one or two automatic picks, as the likes of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, and Jaker Ali have all struggled for form recently. The promising opener Tanzid Hasan even lost his place in the ODI side during the series against Afghanistan last week.Because of the lack of form of the top order, Bangladesh coach Simmons felt captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz has had to curb his strokeplay to ensure wickets are conserved. “Because of the start we’ve had, that’s the way he’s had to play – especially the one with him and Towhid Hridoy in that partnership [in the first ODI against Afghanistan].” he said. “He had to build it back. And that’s been the pace that we have to look at. In that situation, he had to play like that, but I’m sure in a different situation, he will play accordingly.”

West Indies overcame Pakistan’s spinners as well as the weather to power home by five wickets to level the ODI series 1-1. In a chase which ebbed and flowed, a blitz from Sherfane Rutherford and a controlled innings at the death by Roston Chase saw them home with ten balls to spare.Their task was made significantly harder than it might have been when Jayden Seales’ standout fast-bowling performance had restricted Pakistan to 171 for 7 in 37 overs. The target was slightly upwards (181 in 35 overs) of what was scored owing to multiple rain delays in the first innings.Pakistan were put in to bat first and played stodgy cricket inconsistent with the decade they were playing in. Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub found the occasional powerplay boundary but interspersed it with strings of dot deliveries; the first ten overs had just five singles taken. When Seales’ extra pace and Shai Hope’s canny field placement extracted an outside edge from Ayub in the ninth over, it was the ninth successive ball the left-hand batter had faced that had not produced a run.Mohammad Rizwan couldn’t make up for a slow start•AFP/Getty Images

Three balls later, Babar Azam was cleaned up by a Seales special that burst through the gate and made a mess of his stumps, and put West Indies firmly on top.It brought Mohammad Rizwan out, but he appeared to have left positivity behind in the dressing room – he scored just 4 off his first 23 deliveries. A shower that delayed play by 90 minutes did not help Pakistan find their rhythm. Jediah Blades took his maiden ODI wicket by drawing an edge from Shafique that ended his battle of an innings the over after play resumed.As run-scoring increasingly became a struggle, West Indies’ bowlers – spinners and seamers alike – kept making inroads. Gudakesh Motie trapped the Pakistan captain in front. Chase got a ball to keep low and produce an under edge off Hussain Talat’s bat to conclude his comparatively brighter innings. Salman Agha struggled to see any scoring area beside the little dab to deep third, and when Shamar Joseph surprised him with the straighter bouncer, a top edge sent him packing.Multiple rain breaks curtailed Pakistan’s innings•AFP/Getty Images

A further rain delay truncated the game to Pakistan’s benefit with the innings winding down, allowing Hasan Nawaz to go for broke in what became seven death overs. Cruelly for Pakistan, though, that stubborn cloud unloaded its contents upon the Brian Lara Stadium once more just as he had begun to get going. That little passage of play saw 32 scored in 3.1 overs, but Pakistan were denied a big finish with their final three overs wiped out.West Indies were set an entirely manageable target, though Hasan Ali’s opening salvo soon cast that expectation into jeopardy. Wickets in each of his first two overs sent the openers back, and the hosts found themselves stuck in the same mire that had dogged Pakistan. Rizwan, sensing an opportunity to strangle, brought the spinners on after six overs, with Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed producing the desired results.The scoring rate briefly slowed to a trickle, particularly as far as Keacy Carty was concerned. His first 26 balls produced just three singles, piling the pressure on his captain at the other end. An intriguing plot point concerned Pakistan’s fifth bowling option; the one over Ayub had bowled leaked 10, and another from Salman shed another 11.Sherfane Rutherford took Shaheen Afridi down in the 17th over•AFP/Getty Images

With a newly arrived Rutherford at the crease and the asking rate over six, Rizwan made the fateful decision of turning to Shaheen Afridi, and the batter picked his moment. Two fours and a six saw him plunder 17 that over, and with Rizwan turning immediately to the part-timer Salman, another 20 were lopped off the target.It bought West Indies the cushion to see off the primary spinners Abrar and Mohammad Nawaz more respectfully, but the pair wasn’t content with containment. Nawaz found extra turn to have Hope stumped before, in what felt like a game-turning moment, he induced Rutherford into a smear that found square leg. It was part of an eight-over period that saw just 17 scored, but just as significantly, Pakistan had bowled out Nawaz.Chase slapped a couple of sixes the following Ayub over to wrench the asking rate below six once more, and it was there that it would stay for the rest of the game.The returning fast bowlers never packed the same threat, and West Indies began to milk them in addition to finding the odd boundary that took the game further out of the visitors’ reach. Justin Greaves had looked uncertain against the turn, but was impressively assured now, a wristy flick over mid-on for six off Hasan perhaps the shot of the innings. By now, the equation was purely mathematical, With Chase’s crisp drive through the off side sealing a topsy-turvy win on a day that promised each outcome at certain points, before settling on the one the Trinidad crowd had come to witness.

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O Internacional visita o ASA-AL nesta quarta-feira (28), pela primeira fase da Copa do Brasil. A bola rola a partir das 20h (de Brasília), no Estádio Coaracy da Mata, em Arapiraca, com transmissão da Amazon Prime Video.

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1ª fase da Copa do Brasil

Data e horário: quarta-feira, 28 de fevereiro de 2024, às 20h (de Brasília)
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December 2024 was a strange month for Joshua Zirkzee. It began with a two-goal salvo against Everton, but ended in humiliation as he was hauled off 33 minutes into United’s defeat by Newcastle, his substitution greeted with mocking applause from his own fans.

Twelve months on, and Zirkzee continues to have a strange status at Manchester United. He had not started a game until the home defeat at the hands of Everton at the end of November, when his abject performance against David Moyes’ 10 men seemed to justify Ruben Amorim using him so little. When United fans subsequently learned that Zirkzee was starting the next game against Crystal Palace, some joked in WhatsApp groups that they no longer wanted to watch. 

But by full-time, the fans in the away end at Selhurst Park were adding Zirkzee’s name to the chorus of Daft Punk’s ‘One More Time’ as the hit tune blared out around the stadium after the Dutch striker had played a massive part in turning a certain defeat into victory.

It was not the first time Zirkzee had delivered a show-stopping moment when the least was expected of him, and it was a reminder that United cannot afford to let him leave in the January transfer window despite his overall status in the squad.

AFPFrom zero to hero

Zirkzee's performance against Palace summed up his career at United thus far. He had offered very little in the first half, registering zero shots and losing most of his aerial duels while his opposite number Jean-Philippe Mateta upstaged him. 

But everything changed in the second half. Zirkzee's goal, surely his finest in a United shirt, was the standout moment, but it was also indicative of a much-improved overall display. Zirkzee’s passing accuracy increased from 57 per cent to 77%, and the forward ended the game having played six lay-offs, the most since that win over Everton 12 months previously. 

He was also more combative, winning double the amount of aerial duels in the final half-hour than in the first 60 minutes. One of those duels saw United win the free-kick from which Mason Mount struck the winner.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportShort-lived revival

Zirkzee has previous for turning the narrative, given he managed to do so following that harrowing episode against Newcastle. Two weeks later, he scored the winning penalty in the FA Cup third-round shootout win over Arsenal and was being serenaded by the 9,000 United fans who had crammed into the Emirates Stadium away end, evidently keen to make him feel valued again after the way he had been treated at Old Trafford. 

A few weeks later, Zirkzee completed his journey from being a figure of derision to an almost cult-like figure for supporters when his name was chanted to the tune of the Cranberries smash hit 'Zombie' after scoring against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian. He then scored in another Europa League away game when he gave United the lead in Lyon with a late header. 

But in the following game at Newcastle, his season effectively ended when he injured a thigh muscle. He did manage to recover in time to come off the bench in the Europa League final, but it was no triumphant return as he was unable to stop United slumping to a costly defeat to Tottenham. 

It must have been a frustrating summer for him, then, as he watched £200 million worth of new attacking players arrive. Having struggled to hold down a starting berth last season even when Rasmus Hojlund was toiling, Zirkzee wasn't called upon early into the new campaign as Benjamin Sesko settled into the side. 

Getty Images SportHigh risk, low reward

Zirkzee was very clearly the second-choice centre-forward behind Sesko, and fifth-choice for one of the two No.10 roles behind the striker. As early as October, reports began to emerge that he was frustrated with the lack of opportunities and wanted an exit in January.

With a World Cup on the horizon, Zirkzee has not been picked by Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman for more than a year, and no one can blame him for wanting to start afresh.

Everton and West Ham have emerged as potential Premier League destinations, but the strongest interest has come from Italy, where Zirkzee kickstarted his career at Bologna after being let go by Bayern Munich. AC Milan and Como were first suggested, but Roma, who are vying to win a first Serie A title since 2001, are making the biggest push for Zirkzee amid the struggles of Artem Dobvyk and Evan Ferguson up front. 

Roma are, however, only interested in a loan with an option to buy which hinges on them qualifying for the Champions League. In other words, it is a deal with plenty of risk and not much reward for United.

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Getty Images SportLethal touch

United know how hard it is to sign a striker in January, having only managed to get Wout Weghorst in the winter of 2023 when they needed to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. And despite Zirkzee's struggles in a stop-start United career, it is clear that he is worth keeping around until the summer at least.

Zirkzee’s goal against Palace was a much-needed reminder of how lethal he can be when he gets in the right positions. For a player who is known much more for bringing others into play than scoring himself, the Dutchman can still pack a mean punch with his right foot.

His Selhurst Park strike was his best in a United shirt, showing impressive composure to take Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick down on his chest and then fire into the net from the narrowest of angles. He had also shown his deadly touch on his debut against Fulham, when Erik ten Hag was in charge, producing a deft first-time finish to decide the game. His goal against Real Sociedad, a thumping strike from outside the area which left goalkeeper Alex Remiro completely flummoxed, was another reminder of his shooting prowess.  

Despite being right-footed, Zirkzee is equally comfortable shooting with his left, using his weaker foot to score against Palace and land a first-time finish from a similar position for Bologna against Cagliari, the first of 12 goals he scored in his final season in Serie A.

Cricketers who bowl at high pace will break, sooner or later. That is, and has always been, a given

Greg Chappell02-Dec-2025Imagine a javelin thrower sprinting flat-out before planting their front leg and unleashing the spear with every ounce of power. Biomechanists describe that sudden stop – all that forward momentum slamming to an abrupt halt – as the equivalent of a low-speed car crash. Now picture doing similar a few hundred times over the course of five days, while trying to hit a spot the size of a saucer 22 yards away. That, in essence, is what a Test-match fast bowler signs up for: a deliberate act of repeated self-destruction, which the human body was never designed for.A couple of weeks ago, as Australia began the Ashes without Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood – two of the finest fast bowlers of their generation – the old conversation resurfaced: why do fast bowlers break down so often, and what, if anything, can be done about it?The brutal truth is that bowling seriously fast means living permanently on the edge of what the skeleton, soft tissue, ligaments, tendons and nervous system can endure. Speed comes at a price, and the bill usually arrives in two instalments: once in adolescence, when bones are still growing, and then around 30, when the years of accumulated impact finally catch up.Related

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Cummins knows both chapters intimately. As a prodigiously quick teenager, he suffered lumbar stress fractures – tiny cracks in the lower spine caused by the explosive twist and arch of the delivery stride. He missed almost two full years. Now, at 32, he is in the second danger zone, managing a body that has carried an enormous workload as captain and strike bowler. Hazlewood’s troubles have had more to do with soft tissue – side strains, hamstrings, shoulders – the classic toll borne by a tall man repeatedly bracing against huge ground-reaction forces.History is littered with similar stories. Dennis Lillee was told in 1973 that multiple spinal stress fractures had ended his career. A relentless two-year schedule with no proper off season had broken him. He rebuilt himself through pioneering strength work, remodelled his action and returned stronger, eventually claiming a world-record tally. I know no one with such iron will.Dale Steyn, among the most electrifying bowlers of the 21st century, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Mark Wood and Kagiso Rabada, fractured part of his shoulder blade in 2016; the screw inserted to fix it marked the beginning of the end, sadly. Bumrah and Cameron Green have recently undergone surgery involving screws and titanium wire to bind vertebrae together to stabilise stress fractures. Very few men of pace seem to avoid the inevitable.The almost indestructible Jeff Thomson – owner of the most efficient, whip-like side-on action ever seen – only suffered one serious injury in his career, and that came from colliding with a fieldsman, not from bowling itself. Ironically, when being scanned for something else, it was discovered that he had had three undiagnosed stress fractures. One can assume that he was on the verge of joining the statistics when an off-season break gave his body time to heal.Glenn McGrath was another thoroughbred who played at the highest level for 14 years and took 563 Test wickets with minimal injury problems because he had a textbook, efficient action. His one major injury came from treading on a stray ball at Edgbaston in 2005. Accuracy, rather than raw speed, was his weapon – a hallmark of those who enjoyed genuine longevity.

To watch someone repeatedly hurl a ball at 90mph and above is to witness athletic beauty and impending breakdown in the same glorious, terrifying motion

The bowlers who lasted shared one overwhelming trait: a lean, strong frame that absorbed shock rather than fought it. Richard Hadlee shortened his run-up mid-career, sacrificing a yard of pace for extra durability. Courtney Walsh, tall and whippy, bowled until he was 38, amassing 519 Test wickets with an action so smooth, it looked effortless. Lillee advised a struggling Brett Lee to use top-end pace sparingly; Brett eventually heeded the lesson and prolonged his career with clever variations.Fred Trueman seemed unbreakable but he often enjoyed six-month winters in his 67-Test career. By contrast, James Anderson played 188, plus nearly 200 ODIs – an unfathomable feat. As a 19-year-old, I faced Trueman at the dawn of my career and the dusk of his. I was told that he bowled within himself for much of his county career, saving top speed for England; as did John Snow. Anderson and Stuart Broad pushed the envelope by eventually playing Test cricket only.Wood’s ballistic action has limited him to 38 Tests in ten years; his latest knee injury stemmed directly from the explosive leg drive that produces his 90mph-plus thunderbolts. Mitchell Starc, lean and superbly athletic, has dodged serious trouble across 100 Tests and multiple formats, and is in prime bowling form.Modern schedules are merciless: more overs, shorter recovery windows, three formats, year-round. Development coaches now preach “load management”, and Einstein’s maxim – keep it as simple as possible but no simpler. Young fast bowlers must build a broad athletic base first – by running, jumping, throwing – before specialist skills are layered on. Rush the process, or allow mixed actions full of side-bend, hyperextension and counter-rotation, and the body will rebel. Shaun Tait’s slinging arm could produce ball speeds of 100mph, yet he rarely lasted more than a few matches before something broke.Careful monitoring of bowling loads through growth spurts is non-negotiable, as is intelligent balancing once a bowler turns professional. Even so, physics cannot be cheated: the front leg takes up to eight times the body’s weight, the torso rotates violently, the arm whips through at startling speed. Something eventually gives.Freaks among us: Jeff Thomson’s bodily strength helped him survive the punishment his action meted out to his frame•Adrian Murrell/Getty ImagesMany strength programmes now include yoga, pilates and elements of tai chi to improve mobility, core control and shock absorption. A lean, strong, flexible athlete recovers faster and breaks less often than one who relies only on heavy iron in the gym.Thomson possessed freakish natural strength and elasticity. Most mortals do not. Copy his action without his gifts – as countless club cricketers discovered in the 1970s and ’80s – and you were soon limping away after a couple of fiery spells.Australia’s current injury list is a reminder that no amount of science has yet annulled the laws of nature. Cummins and Hazlewood will be replaced by eager youngsters, and the cycle will continue. Some will have the resilient architecture that allows a long career; others will flare brightly, then burn out.This Ashes series has already been profoundly shaped by the absence of two world-class operators. In the end, the urn will almost certainly go to the team that best manages to keep its premier fast bowlers fit and firing longest.Fast bowling remains cricket’s ultimate contradiction: the most thrilling sight in the sport is also its most self-destructive. To watch someone repeatedly hurl a ball at 90mph and above is to witness athletic beauty and impending breakdown in the same glorious, terrifying motion. The great ones merely postpone the inevitable. The rest of us marvel – and wince – at the extraordinary price they pay.