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Australia’s Test players have promised to shut out emotion surroundingthe one-day squad revamp as they attempt to clinch a series victory inCape Town.The second Test, starting on Friday, has an obvious storyline with ShaneWarne playing his 100th Test and coming up against his favouritebatsman, the recalled Daryll Cullinan.But Mark Waugh’s performance will also attract plenty of attention as heenters the last phase of his international career.He’s must prove to selectors he has some years left at Test level afterbeing dumped from the one-day squad yesterday.Brother Steve has been running the same campaign since he was axed fromthe one-day team three weeks ago, with a score of 32 against SouthAfrica in his only Test knock since.But the plight of the 36-year-old Waughs won’t be discussed in thedressing rooms with the team determined to seal back-to-back series winsover the Proteas this summer.”We had a little bit of a talk when Mark found out he wasn’t in thesquad and decided that’s where it finished, there would be no more talkabout the one-day stuff until it comes around,” said batsman RickyPonting, the new one-day captain.”It was (emotional) because you spend so much time with them and theyend up being really good mates of yours. When they get left out you dofeel for them.”I’ve been great mates with Steve and Mark for the last six or sevenyears. Now for me not to be playing in one form of the game with eitherof those guys is a bit difficult … but life goes on and you’ve got toget on with things.”The Waughs have told their teammates they won’t dwell on their one-daysackings, and the Test players insist they have had minimal discussionabout the changes since arriving in South Africa.However, the selectors’ actions are a clear sign to the twins,particularly Mark, that their days as automatic selections are over andthey must perform or be replaced if suitable successors are found.Former team leaders Mark Taylor and Ian Healy faced the same pressureswhen they were ushered out of one-day cricket during the Ashes tour in1997.Taylor played another 23 Tests before retiring, averaging 46.65 with thebat in that time, while Healy played 31 Tests before receiving a tap onthe shoulder to make way for explosive wicketkeeper-batsman AdamGilchrist.But both Healy and Taylor were younger than the Waughs when they retiredfrom all international cricket, leaving a question over how long theWaughs can remain driving forces in the Australian team.Both have appeared relaxed on the South African tour, with Markinsisting there was no point worrying about his one-day future becausethe decision was out of his hands.Meanwhile, Warne’s future in both forms of the game seems certain forthe immediate future after national selector Trevor Hohns gave somebacking to the leg-spinner.Warne will enter his 100th Test ranked the second-highest wicket-takerin the game, itching for another shot at Cullinan.The Victorian has bamboozled the 35-year-old in the past but Cullinanhasn’t backed away from another confrontation since his 86 for SouthAfrica A against Australia last Friday.Cullinan was among four changes to the Proteas, included along withdebutant quick Dewald Pretorius and left-arm wrist spinner Paul Adamswhile captain Shaun Pollock is listed to return from a side strain.Pollock will bowl at full speed in the nets on Wednesday with a finaldecision on his fitness on Thursday.

Australia’s triumph against India, coming as it did by a big margin of 51runs, did not actually depict the true picture of the way the game went on.India did put up a good fight but in patches they let the pressure they hadput on the Aussies ease away. This, in the final analysis, cost the matchfor India.The absence of Mithali Raj, down with viral fever, dented India’s chanceseven before the game commenced. Raj has had a string of good scores in theCricInfo Women’s World Cup with scores of 69 not out, 51 and 32 and herabsence in the key match against Australia was acutely felt.Australian captain Belinda Clark’s failure, by her standards, was more thanadequately covered up by the other opener Lisa Keightley who has been veryimpressive thus far in this competition with her consistency. She, alongwith the left handed Karen Rolton, took the Australian score to a positionfrom where they could take off for some big hitting towards the end.The measure of success of the Indian bowlers can be gauged only when theyare up against some top performers like the Australian batswomen. TheIndian bowling was hit but to the credit of the bowlers, they alwaysbounced back with some inspired spells. The 110-run partnership for thesecond wicket notwithstanding, India at one stage had the Australiansrestricted to 181 for 5.It was at this stage that the Indian fielding wilted under pressure and thesixth wicket pair enjoyed a charmed life with both Olivia Magno and JuliaPrice both getting reprieves with the fielders dropping easy catches in thedeep. They added 42 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket, which in theultimate analysis took the match away from India’s grasp. The Indianfielding just caved in with no backing up for throws to the bowler’s end.While Purnima Rau did bowl well for her 2 for 35, India’s concern is thelack of form of left arm spinner Neetu David who once again went for runs.Set a target of 224 runs, India got off to a good start with skipper AnjuJain setting the trend with some confident batting. When things looked likegoing well for India came about the needless run out of Jain with theIndian score reading 59. One couldn’t but admire Anjum Chopra’sdetermination in staying at the wicket though she consumed a lot ofdeliveries in the process. Her 47 off 105 balls and her partnership withPurnima Rau (25 off 44 balls) virtually made the game drift away from Indiawith the asking rate crossing seven.As a consequence of this, the Indian middle order had very few overs toscore from and eventually ended at 172 for 8, thanks to a fast pacedinnings from Chanderkanta Kaul who goes about the business of getting runswith minimal fuss. Therese McGregor was again the pick of the bowlers withfigures of 3 for 38 from her stipulated 10 overs.India were defeated by a convincing margin but there were moments in themiddle when the latter felt the pressure and even their famed fieldingwilted. It was not as smooth sailing as the score would suggest as therewere tense moments in the Australian camp though their better experienceand preparation helped them to register a victory. Only Australia hasremained unbeaten so far in this competition with both India and NewZealand having lost to them.The next match between India and New Zealand will decide who will be placedsecond and third. But this match scheduled for Saturday may well be arehearsal of the semi-final as these two teams are likely to meet again andonly one can proceed to the final for a date with Australia who are likelyto ward off the South African challenge in the other semi-final. SoSaturday’s match between New Zealand and India assumes great significance,as a victory here will be a big morale booster. The last time these twoteams met was in the 1997 World Cup in India when the match ended in a tieand pitched India against Australia in the semi-finals at which stage thehome team bowed out of the competition.

	Very appealing: James Foster has the chance to impress with the England Lions in India © Getty Images

The England selectors have named three replacements for the Lions tour of India with James Foster, Charlie Shreck and Steve Kirby being called up after injuries to the Worcestershire pair Steven Davies and Kabir Ali.Davies has been forced out with a knee injury, opening the door for Foster, while Ali has failed to recover from an ankle problem and the selectors have decided to add an additional name to the squad.Foster has been pushing for recognition after a string of impressive seasons for Essex. In his last four seasons he has scored 3457 runs at 43 with eight hundreds and David Graveney, the chairman of the selectors, said he had come into consideration when the tour parties were initially named.Foster’s trip to India, where the Lions will play in the Duleep Trophy, will be his first appearance at any England level since the 2002-03 Ashes tour where he filled in for the injured Alec Stewart for the fourth Test in Melbourne. Kirby and Shreck have yet to receive full international honours but enjoyed solid domestic seasons in 2007 with 41 and 47 wickets respectively.”Since the end of last season I’ve been heavily involved in my coaching company – James Foster Coaching – so I’d planned my winter around that,” Foster told essexcricket.org.uk. “Normally I would have started my training for the new season a bit earlier but with all my coaching I didn’t pick up a bat in anger until last Thursday.”Being involved with the England Lions puts players in the shop window for the full team so it’s good to be in there showing what I have to offer,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had some England recognition but I never gave up hope.”The ECB also confirmed that Andrew Flintoff won’t be joining the trip after earlier speculation that he may travel as a specialist batsman as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery. “He will continue his rehabilitation programme with Lancashire and it is anticipated that he will be available for their pre-season tours of India and Dubai,” said the ECB.Kirby and Foster will be joining the squad this week at their training camp in Loughborough. The Lions are due to fly to Mumbai on January 23 and Shreck will join them from New Zealand where he is currently playing for Wellington.”It was a surprise to get the call, to say the least,” said Shreck. “I hadn’t even been looking at the news to see when the Lions were touring, I was just concentrating on my cricket with Wellington.”Revised squad Michael Yardy (capt), Michael Carberry, Joe Denly, James Foster, James Hildreth, Ed Joyce, Steve Kirby, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Alan Richardson, Charlie Shreck, Jonathan Trott

Kenya 137 for 0 (Obuya 74*, Ouma 56*) beat Bermuda 133 (Minors 52, Ongondo 3-23) by ten wickets
Scorecard

Dean Minors on his way to 52 – only two other batsmen reached double figures © ICC

Hosts Kenya made a rousing start to the World Cricket League at Nairobi’s Jaffreys Sports Club, destroying a dismal Bermuda by ten wickets in as one-sided a contest as the tournament is likely to produce. That they won with more than 31 overs to spare told the whole story.Bermuda, one of the outsiders, only arrived in the country on Friday, and stuck in on a hazy and warm day, they looked extremely rusty as three wickets from the lively Peter Ongondo reduced them to 44 for 4. Had it not been for Dean Minor’s stoic 52, the innings would probably have fallen apart. As it was, he stood firm and finally found support from Janeiro Tucker, the pair adding 50 for the fifth wicket.As may well be the case throughout the tournament, the spinners were hard to get away on the spin-friendly Kenyan surfaces. The fast-improving Hiren Varaiya made the breakthough to remove Tucker, and an over later Steve Tikolo took a return catch to end Minor’s knock. Soon after, Delyone Borden perished to a direct hit from Tanmay Mishra, although the batsmen was entirely at fault as he sauntered towards the non-striker’s end.When Malachi Jones looked to mow Tikolo out of the ground and was bowled, Bermuda were 108 for 9, and only some late clubbing from Kevin Hurdle, including two towering sixes over long-on off Tikolo, enabled them to muster something remotely defendable.The gulf between the sides was even more apparent when Kenya batted. David Obuya cut loose from the start, savaging the opening bowlers, while Maurice Ouma, in need of runs to secure his place, initially adopted a more circumspect approach. Obuya was already on 32 before Ouma got off the mark, but thereafter it was an unremitting onslaught from both men.Obuya brought up his fifty with a towering six over long-on, losing the ball in the process for the second time in 20 minutes. Ouma almost caught his colleague up by the end – it was effortless and disdainful. But, being brutally honest, Bermuda were utterly dreadful, repeatedly bowling short and appearing to throw in the towel long before the end.Kenya’s fielding was very impressive all day, and they looked committed, athletic and skillful. Sadly, Bermuda were less so, and their dire performance suggested that the criticisms leveled at them in recent months regarding their lack of professionalism have not been taken on board.

India were pulled up for a slow over-rate in the first ODI at Peshawar © AFP

Rahul Dravid has been fined 20% of his match fee for a slow over-rate during the first ODI against Pakistan at Peshawar. The rest of the team have been fined 10%.India were behind by two overs. The rule stipulates that 5% of a player’s match fee will be docked for every extra over and the captain is fined double the amount. The final drinks break was unusually long and that could have cost India the fine. Pakistan won the first ODI by seven runs according to the Duckworth-Lewis system after bad light stopped play.

Bob Woolmer: ‘We are here to win the series’© Getty Images

Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, has cautioned his players against complacency after they saved the first Test at Mohali against all expectations. Talking to AFP, he put the game in perspective: “After all it was a draw and we are here to win the series. It’s the first step in the right direction and to grow as a team we need to take such steps on a regular basis.”Speaking about the efforts of Akmal and Razzaq, he said: “When we reached the ground there was a mood of determination to save the Test and the way Akmal and Razzaq played was tremendous. I am on record saying that Akmal can bat and he got an opportunity and made the most of it. The state of the pitch also helped them bat with ease but their efforts should not be undermined by that.” Akmal made 109, becoming only the fifth Pakistani wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred, while Razzaq made a patient and uncharacteristically restrained 71.Woolmer also complained that the Pakistan bowlers hadn’t come to grips with the SG balls being used for in India. “I am not making any excuses but the ball used in India doesn’t seem to swing and the advantage of a new ball was not there.”Meanwhile, Pakistan’s amazing fightback in the Mohali Test has come in for fulsome praise from Hanif Mohammad, the former captain and legendary opening batsman. “This is simply one of the finest fightbacks,” Hanif told Press Trust of India. “Playing in such tremendous pressure was no joke and Kamran [Akmal] and [Abdul] Razzaq achieved accomplished the task in style with cool heads.”Akmal’s innings even moved Dinesh Karthik, the Indian wicketkeeper, to say that he had been inspired: “It was good to see a wicketkeeper score runs, Karthik told . If there was one thing I want to pick from his showing, it would be the relaxed manner in which he batted. I have certainly been inspired by what he did.” Karthik himself has had a poor trot with the bat in Test cricket – seven innings have fetched him just 103 runs at 14.71, and at Mohali he had another failure, scoring just 6.

Adam Gilchrist: up off his sickbed © Getty Images

Steve Waugh has dropped a hint that Stuart MacGill is likely to be named in Australia’s XI for the first Test against India at Brisbane which starts tomorrow (Thursday).Although the Gabba track is green and widely expected to favour the seamers, Waugh argued that it was vital to have a balanced attack. And he added that MacGill will still get turn even on a grassy pitch.Waugh’s views were shared by Kevin Mitchell, the groundsman, who said there was a “real good even grass coverage” that should produce “good bounce and pace”. But he added that there would be enough in the pitch for the spinners.MacGill’s inclusion would probably mean that Nathan Bracken would be left out of the side.Australia were boosted by the sight of Adam Gilchrist at training after he missed Tuesday’s session because of a viral infection. “He’s a bit run-down but he should be fine,” Errol Alcott, the team’s physiotherapist, told reporters.And Brett Lee joined in the practice, although he is unlikely to be fit until the third Test. He has recovered from strained stomach muscles and ankle surgery, and will make his return for New South Wales at the weekend.Australia (probable): 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Justin Langer, 3 Ricky Ponting, 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Steve Waugh (capt), 6 Simon Katich, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Andy Bichel, 9 Jason Gillespie, 10 Stuart MacGill, 11 Brad Williams.

Spring is most certainly in the air at the County Ground in Taunton. With the new cricket season just around the corner Gordon the Goose and his two companions Donald and Daffy the mallard ducks are back on the scene.During the early part of last season Gordon became quite a favourite with the crowds and players alike, and during one game almost became the target of a ball that was destined for the mid-on boundary, much to the amusement to all concerned.Whether or not it is the same Gordon as last season or one of his offspring it is difficult to tell, but he is back, along with his web-footed companions as bold as ever and reluctant to step aside for either people or vehicles!Given that the ground is bounded by the River Tone to the north it is hardly surprising that there are ducks and geese.However I am reliably informed that when Peter Robinson first made the journey down the A38 from Worcestershire to join the Cidermen in 1965 there were many more around the ground.’Robbo’ told me: “When I first came to join Somerset there used to be an open ditch which ran along behind the benches which were on the east side of the ground in front of the old organ works.”In those days the ball would often go in the ditch and had to be retrieved by the spectators or players, as many of the older members will no doubt remember,” said the former Somerset coach.”I’ve just discovered it is known as the Stockwell Stream, and flows down under Canon Street before entering the County Ground site under the Jack White Gates. It then flows in front of the cricket shop and then across the car park, and that’s why there are so many manhole covers along that section, before it enters the River Tone behind the Colin Atkinson Pavilion.”In those days there also used to be a well that stored water behind the pavilion, which was used by the greyhound people to water the track. That’s why in the 1970s, when we had the drought, the dog track always used to look so green.”

A draw appears to be the inevitable outcome of the First Test, which enters its final day tomorrow on the slow, lifeless wicket at Lahore.It is not the result that England will deserve after their splendid effort but a defiant, unbroken ninth-wicket stand between Yousuf Youhana and Saqlain Mushtaq not only ensured that Pakistan avoided the follow-on, but also reduced England’s first innings lead to 147 by stumps.England needed to take quick wickets when Pakistan resumed their innings on the fourth morning, but the overnight not out batsmen, Salim Elahi and Inzamam-ul-haq put on 98 before Elahi played-on to Craig White for 44.Play had started half an hour early to make up for lost time the previous day. By the time Elahi was dismissed he had taken up two hours of what was valuable time for England in their quest for wickets.It was White who achieved the breakthrough with only his second ball after he had come back for a second spell. Earlier Elahi was dropped by Nasser Hussain at silly-point.Inzamam batted beautifully, playing fluent strokes that brought him nine boundaries in his 28th Test fifty, but he was out with the total on 203. He fell to Ashley Giles who spun one sharply away and on to his off-stump as he attempted to force the ball to leg against the spin.White was brought on for a third spell and with his first ball, on the stroke of lunch, he had Qaiser Abbas held at gully for two as he chased one outside his off-stump. It has not been a happy debut for Abbas, who had dropped Graham Thorpe on two, a simple chance in the slips on the first day, only to see the batsman go on to hit a century.After lunch, which was taken on 210 for five, Andy Caddick trapped Moin Khan lbw. An hour and 36 runs later, White struck for the third time with Abdur Razzaq padding up to a ball that was going on to his stumps.When Giles had Wasim Akram taken at short mid-wicket from a half-hearted push, Pakistan were 273 for eight. Their last six wickets had gone for 74 and raised England’s hopes of enforcing the follow-on.But with just eight runs required to make England bat again, Youhana and Saqlain put on sixty runs to take Pakistan to 333 for eight. With Youhana compiling an unbeaten 77, of which 39 came in the last session with a combination of graft and stylish stroke-play, England’s chances of forcing a victory tomorrow were gradually diminishing.Craig White, successful with both bat and ball for England, said afterwards:”It was a good performance today. We pushed them to the limit. We need to get them out early in the morning – we need early wickets.”White added: “We would rather be in our position then theirs, but we are not going to get carried away. We’ll just see what happens.”

Glasgow Rangers were given a boost on paper when it was revealed that Mohamed Diomande did not make the Ivorian squad for the African Cup of Nations.

Whilst Nasser Djiga has gone away with Burkina Faso and will be unavailable for selection over the festive schedule, Diomande will be at Danny Rohl’s disposal.

How much of a boost that is remains to be seen, though, because the left-footed star has endured a difficult season, with more red cards (two) than goals (one) in all competitions, per Sofascore.

The Ivorian star needs to step up and improve his performances on the pitch to prove that he can be a key player for the German head coach moving forward.

Danny Rohl pushing for Rangers to sign £5m star

It is even more important for Diomande to up his levels for the Gers with the January transfer window now only a couple of weeks away from opening for business.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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According to TEAMtalk, Rohl is pushing for Rangers to seal a swoop for Tromso central midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl to bolster his options in the middle of the park.

The report claims that the Scottish Premiership giants are intensifying their efforts to sign the Norwegian youngster, as the German head coach is very keen to bring him to Ibrox.

It adds that the former Sheffield Wednesday manager believes that Hjerto-Dahl can be the cornerstone of his midfield moving forward, because he is viewed as a dynamic and athletic midfield operator.

TEAMtalk also reveals that Tromso are looking for a fee of around €6m (£5m) for the 20-year-old central midfielder, but it remains to be seen whether or not Rangers are willing to pay that price.

Why Rangers should sign Jens Hjerto-Dahl

On top of the claim that Rohl is pushing for the club to sign the Eliteserien talent, Rangers should get a deal done for Hjerto-Dahl because he could arrive at Ibrox as an upgrade on Diomande.

As aforementioned, the current Gers midfielder has struggled in the 2025/26 campaign. The Ivorian has produced one goal and one assist in 13 appearances, per Sofascore, whilst making 1.8 tackles and interceptions per game.

The Rangers star has failed to provide much quality in or out of possession in the middle of the park in the Premiership, unfortunately, and that is why dipping into the market for a new central midfield option makes a lot of sense for the club.

Hjerto-Dahl, who was described as a “sensation” by journalist Pete O’Rourke, showed enough on the pitch in the 2025 Eliteserien campaign to suggest that he could arrive at Ibrox and offer more than Diomande.

The 6 foot 4 midfielder is more than just a physical presence, despite TEAMtalk’s claim that he has been identified for his athletic qualities, as he has delivered goals and assists at the top end of the pitch.

Stats

Diomande (25/26 Premiership)

Hjerto-Dahl (2025 Eliteserien)

Appearances

13

30

Goals

1

4

Big chances created

1

5

Assists

1

4

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.8

2.5

Duels won per game

3.0

5.0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Hjerto-Dahl offered a threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals in the 2025 season, to go along with the defensive and physical benefits of his play.

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These statistics suggest that the 20-year-old starlet has the potential to be an upgrade on Diomande in midfield, because he could offer more quality in front of goal, whilst also being more combative and effective out of possession.

Rangers fan outlet The Rangers Journal stated earlier this month that it would be a “huge coup” for the club to bring him to Ibrox, as he is one of the “biggest talents in Norway”.

Whilst he is unproven in Scottish football and it is always difficult to predict how a player will adapt to a new country and league, due to how many factors are in play, Hjerto-Dahl seems to be a fantastic option for Rangers to sign on paper.

At 20, he would also arrive as a young player with potential who could grow and develop under Rohl’s coaching, which is another reason why this is a transfer that could make a lot of sense.

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Posts ByDan Emery

With Diomande struggling for form, it is not surprising to see this latest report that the manager wants to bring Hjerto-Dahl in to add more athleticism and quality to his midfield.