Opener produces vital half-century to help revive England from another wobbly start

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Dec-2025

After their combined tally of eight runs in four innings at Perth, it proved to be a day of revived fortunes at the Gabba for two of the most scrutinised batters in England’s ranks. While Joe Root secured the plaudits for his magnificent maiden century on Australian soil, Zak Crawley’s bounce-back from a first-Test pair proved a similarly cathartic display.Though he fell when well set, gloving a pull off Michael Neser shortly after the first interval, his 76 from 93 balls was nonetheless a crucial contribution, coming as it did after his first-Test nemesis Mitchell Starc had again struck hard with the new ball, dismissing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks in his first two overs.Crawley, by then, had already driven Starc through the covers for four, to bring up his first runs of the series, and he carried on in a similar vein, picking off a total of 11 boundaries, the majority coming when Australia’s bowlers strayed into his arc.”I did feel good, to be honest,” Crawley told TNT Sports at the close of the first day’s play. “I felt much better than Perth. I was just trying to keep it simple, just trying to score straight on the leg side, and then if it was really full, maybe on the off side. Yeah, I was happy with my knock.”Crawley’s relative watchfulness outside off was the key feature of his innings, and a tribute to the hours in the nets that England have put in (in between some notable moments of downtime) since their two-day defeat in the series opener.”I think it’d have felt a long break if I’d have got two hundreds, to be honest,” he said. “It was big old gap after a two-day game. But yeah, it’s a good chance to get some practice in. And I felt comfortable. I felt calm today, and managed to settle the nerves. So I was pleased with how I played.”I had a clear plan and I stuck to it. There were still a couple of loose shots in there, as I tend to do, but got away with them, and I played nicely down the ground as well. By trying to score on the leg side, that made me leave a bit better outside off with the extra bounce today, and then when I got in, the ball started doing a bit less.”England’s close-of-play score of 325 for 9 looked significantly more healthy thanks to an unbeaten tenth-wicket stand of 61 between Root, who finished unbeaten on 135, and Jofra Archer, whose 32 not out was his highest Test score, in just his second innings at No.11.Until Australia have batted, it will be hard to tell how good that score actually is, but after the groundstaff had given the pitch a final trim to 3mm of grass before the match, Crawley knew it had been a good toss for England to win, notwithstanding their early collapse to 5 for 2.Related

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“The last few days, it’s been really green here. So we all thought it’s going to be a green nipper again. And they obviously shaved it this morning, so it looked like a great wicket to bat on, with the overheads as well.”I was gutted to get out when I did, the pitch was just getting a bit flatter there,” he added. “But obviously we finished the day well with Rooty and Jof at the end there. So it’s good day.”At 264 for 9 with approximately half an hour of the day remaining, there had been some speculation that England might declare to insert Australia under the lights, much as they had done in their previous pink-ball Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui two years ago. But with Root going strong, and with memories of England’s infamous declaration at Edgbaston in 2023, Crawley said a repeat scenario had not been on the cards.”No talk of declaring,” he said. “We were talking about boys going really hard, and if they got out, then it was kind of a win-win situation. So they went hard, and they came off, and there’s a valuable 50 runs there for us.”Root will be on strike when day two gets underway, and will have the chance to extend England’s innings into the morning session, with six overs to come until the new ball is due. For now, though, he will have a chance to savour a significant landmark in his career, and one that may just confirm his credentials as England’s greatest Test batter.”I’m chuffed for him,” Crawley said, after Root’s 40th Test hundred and his first in Australia. “He hasn’t been speaking about it at all to us, that’s just the outside noise. He’s just very focused on just getting whatever score is needed on the day, and proved to be a hundred today.”But he’s the best player I’ve ever played with, or probably against as well. And he’s a champion bloke. I’m chuffed to bits for him.”

Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to release at least seven players ahead of the auction for IPL 2026 with Glenn Maxwell being the prominent name. Maxwell played seven games in IPL 2025 before sustaining a fractured finger midway through the season. He scored only 48 runs in six innings, including single-digit scores in each of his last four games, with a best of 30 for the runners-up, and picked up four wickets.He was replaced by fellow Australian Mitchell Owen, who rose to prominence through his exploits for BBL champions Hobart Hurricanes last year. He topped the run-scoring charts in BBL 13 – his 452 runs coming at a strike rate of 203.60 and featuring two hundreds. However, he had a forgettable IPL debut, scoring a two-ball duck in his only appearance. PBKS, though, are set to retain Owen, who was procured at his base price of INR 3 crore.Related

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Maxwell, who retired from ODIs in June, was bought by PBKS at the 2025 auction for INR 4.2 crore. It was his third stint with PBKS, his fourth IPL team, having played for them from 2014 to 2017 and then in 2021. So far in T20Is this year, Maxwell has 171 runs at a strike rate of 169.30 with a best of 62 not out against South Africa in Cairns.The other players PBKS are set to release include Aaron Hardie, Kyle Jamieson, Kuldeep Sen, Praveen Dubey and Vishnu Vinod. Jamieson had come in as a replacement for the injured Lockie Ferguson and picked up five wickets in the four matches he played. Dubey played just the one game while none of Hardie, Sen and Vinod made any appearance for PBKS in IPL 2025.

Sydney Sixers started 184 chase promisingly in the Challenger, but fell 11 short in the end

Andrew McGlashan11-Dec-2025Beth Mooney continued her outstanding form, and Alana King came to the fore with the ball, to lead Perth Scorchers into the WBBL final, where they will face Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday.Mooney’s 76, the second-highest score in WBBL finals, was the centrepiece of Scorchers’ total, which proved too much for Sydney Sixers. The home side lost Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy and Sophia Dunkley in quick succession, although were given some hope by a 53-run stand between Ash Gardner and Amelia Kerr.However, King produced a superb second over in the power surge, conceding just six runs and having Gardner taken at mid-off. King struck again to remove a dangerous Maitlan Brown, and finished with match-winning figures of 3 for 17 as 21 runs needed by Sixers from the last over gave Scorchers a cushion.It has been another impressive WBBL from Mooney, who had struck a century in the second match, and then made an unbeaten 94 to lead Scorchers into the finals. Against Sixers on Thursday, she was given a life on 9 when Healy missed a leg-side stumping, and made Sixers pay despite at times not having a vast amount of the strike. At the end of the four-over powerplay, Mooney had faced only three deliveries.But once Katie Mack, who had also been dropped on 9, fell for a well-constructed 40, Mooney took charge. She launched Gardner for six, and then next ball moved to her fifty off 27 deliveries.As Mooney took consecutive boundaries off Kerr at the start of the 17th over, there was an outside chance of a remarkable century. But she fell lbw to Brown in the 19th over as part of a late stutter by Scorchers.When Paige Scholfield slog-swept Kerr for consecutive sixes, Scorchers looked set for an onslaught. But Kerr, who has struggled this season, gained some revenge when Scholfield fell to a top edge. Scorchers then lost 5 for 21 late in their innings.Sixers started promisingly in the chase as Perry and Dunkley, given a life on 15 when she skied King in the covers, added 58, although the asking rate was rising.Perry, who scored a magnificent century in the final regular-season game to book Sixers’ spot in the finals, chipped King to midwicket. Healy was then cleaned up by exciting young quick Chloe Ainsworth.After back-to-back ducks, Healy had at least managed to get off the mark, but couldn’t go any further in what has been a difficult season for her, which ends with 119 runs at 13.22.Gardner and Kerr started to rebuild, and they took the power surge with 75 runs needed from 36 balls. When the first over of it cost 16, a Sixers comeback appeared possible. King, though, ensured it was Scorchers’ night.

The LA Galaxy are in advanced talks to acquire Philadelphia Union center back Jakob Glesnes, according to a report from The Athletic. The proposed deal would reportedly exceed $1 million in General Allocation Money and include performance-based incentives, a valuation that reflects Glesnes’ standing as one of MLS’s top defenders.

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  In advanced negotiations

  The proposed trade agreement between the clubs has been finalized, the New York Times reported, though personal terms between Glesnes and the Galaxy remain under discussion. The Norwegian defender has established himself as one of the league's elite center-backs during his six-year tenure with Philadelphia, culminating in a 2022 MLS Defender of the Year award and consecutive Best XI selections in 2022 and 2025.

  The framework of the trade reflects just how highly Glesnes is valued across Major League Soccer. Philadelphia are set to receive more than $1 million in guaranteed General Allocation Money, with additional performance-based incentives included.

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• Galaxy's strategic shift

  The potential acquisition represents a clear statement of intent from the Los Angeles Galaxy front office after a frustrating 2025 season that saw the defending champions finish near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The dramatic decline followed their triumphant 2024 campaign when they captured their record-extending fifth MLS Cup title. The Galaxy's defensive struggles were particularly evident throughout 2025, with the team conceding 66 goals across the regular season.

• Galaxy poised for potential resurgence

  A significant factor in the Galaxy's 2025 struggles was the season-long absence of midfield maestro Riqui Puig, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament before the campaign began. The Spanish playmaker's anticipated return for the 2026 season, potentially paired with Glesnes anchoring the defense, provides a foundation for optimism among the Galaxy faithful.

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  What's next for the Galaxy?

  This could be the first big move for the Galaxy in what should be a big offseason for the 2024 MLS Cup winners. They kick off their 2026 season by hosting NYCFC on Feb. 22. 

Liverpool currently have no plans to give disgruntled forward Mohamed Salah a big send-off this weekend when the Reds return to action against Brighton in the Premier League. Saturday's match is Salah's final game with Liverpool before he heads off to link up with the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. It could also potentially be his last-ever outing for the Reds as his future at the club has been plunged into doubt following his critical comments in the wake of being benched for a third straight game.

Liverpool prepare to host Brighton but will Salah play?

Salah was left out of the squad for Liverpool's Champions League win over Inter in Milan last time out following his explosive criticism of the club and manager Arne Slot. Currently it's not clear if he will be involved against Brighton on Saturday at Anfield. Slot has said he has "no clue" if Salah will play for the club again, with Saudi Pro League sides reportedly interested in trying to bring the forward to the Middle East in the January transfer window.

Salah has said he feels like has been "thrown under the bus" at Liverpool and that he does not know why he has been benched in recent weeks as Slot attempts to turn around his team's poor form. The Egyptian star also stated he had "no relationship" with Slot and that he feels that "someone doesn't want me in the club."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhy Liverpool won't give Salah big send off

The situation means that Saturday could potentially be Salah's last-ever game for Liverpool and will certainly be his last appearance at Anfield for some time even if he does stay for the rest of the season. Yet the Merseysiders have no plans to give Salah a bid send-off ahead of his departure for AFCON, as reported by . The Reds do not want potential admirers to feel that Salah's time at the club is up as they are keen to "protect any potential future transfer fee". It's thought that giving Salah a big farewell would weaken the club's position in any transfer negotiations in January or beyond.

Salah vows to be at Anfield for Brighton match

Salah has vowed to be at Anfield for the Brighton game, although he does not know if he will be playing or spectating once again. He told reporters: "Yesterday I said to [my parents], 'Come to the Brighton game'. I don't know if I am going to play or not but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I'm going to enjoy that game because I don't know what is going to happen now. I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there."

Liverpool have the day off on Thursday but are due to train on Friday, at which point it may become clearer as to whether Salah will be recalled to the starting XI or not by Slot. 

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Getty Images SportSaudi clubs lurk as Salah exit talk grows

Speculation that Salah could move on this winter is growing, with Saudi Arabia a potential destination. "There is competition within the Saudi league to bring in Salah," a source told AFP. "It's not only the PIF-affiliated clubs." Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli are all reportedly interested along with Al Qadsiah. 

Salah admitted back in May that he thought he would move to Saudi in the summer before signing a new contract with Liverpool. He told : "It was a good opportunity to me, if I hadn't renewed with Liverpool it would have happened. My relations with SPL officials are very good, we talked a lot, and the negotiations were serious."

He added: "The negotiations were long, I know the club's policy [in negotiations], we reached a middle ground that made us all happy. Part of the pressure on the club came from the fans, I know from the start that they wanted me to continue, and they played their role in all of this."

Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic are seeking a five-year sentence for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco on charges of sexual abuse, according to a Monday afternoon report from Martin Adames of the AP.

Franco, 24, was formally arrested in July 2024 and charged with human trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest stemmed from allegations he engaged in a relationship with a 14-year-old girl, which dated to the summer of 2023.

Since then, he has been on the Rays' restricted list while the legal process plays out.

Per Adames, prosecutors say they found $68,500 at the home of the girl’s mother, $35,000 they allege came from Franco. Prosecutors are seeking a 10-year human trafficking sentence for the girl's mother.

Citing what they saw as ambiguities in the prosecution’s case, Franco’s attorneys urged the presiding judge to dismiss charges against their client.

Tampa Bay signed the shortstop to an 11-year, $182 million contract in 2021.

Kyle Schwarber is a home run king this week, to say the least.

The Phillies star was the hero for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday. The game was tied after nine innings, causing the first-ever "extra-inning" swing-off to play out. Schwarber was chosen as one of the NL's hitters, and essentially won the game for the team. Each player had three swings, and Schwarber blasted a homer into the stands on each of his three swings.

In the team's first game back since the All-Star break on Friday night vs. the Angels, Schwarber kept this home run streak alive as he hit a homer on the first swing he took since Tuesday. It's pretty impressive to be able to say the last four swings you took all resulted in home runs.

It was the outfielder's 31st home run during the regular season. He is now tied for the fourth-most in MLB right now along with Eugenio Suarez. Schwarber was the MLB's home run leader in 2022. Mariners star Cal Raleigh, who won the official Home Run Derby on Monday, leads the league with 38 homers this season.

The building blocks of a formidable T20 side are coming together with some big names still to slot in

Andrew McGlashan29-Jul-20250:42

Dwarshuis makes early breakthroughs for Australia

Australia’s build towards next year’s T20 World Cup could not have got off to a better start with the 5-0 sweep over West Indies in which several players staked claims for permanent spots in the team, leaving some potentially big calls for the selectors in the coming months.Cameron Green was player-of-the-series for his performances at No. 4, looking the ideal make-up for a role that can be required to play in various ways depending on the start. Meanwhile, Mitchell Owen made an immediate impact in the middle-order, having been challenged to develop his game away from the opening slot that has brought him considerable T20 league success.Tim David produced the performance of the series with his record-breaking 37-ball hundred, batting higher than has often been the case at No. 5, while Josh Inglis settled in at No. 3. With the ball, it’s difficult to see how Nathan Ellis does now not command a full-time place in the XI while Ben Dwarshuis had a productive series.Related

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“Depth is a privilege to have, and hopefully we can keep building on that,” Australia T20I captain, Mitchell Marsh said. “We saw a lot of guys come in: Mitch Owen, I thought Cam Green was fantastic, Nathan Ellis, again, was outstanding. Everyone played their part. It’s going to be a good challenge for us, but we certainly will welcome a few blokes back in.”Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood are expected to return for the series against South Africa which begins in Darwin on August 10, as could Matt Short if he has recovered from the side strain he picked up early in the West Indies tour. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will, however, continue to rest ahead of the home summer, so the major calls around the make-up of the pace attack will wait a bit longer.