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It was recently reported that Tonda Eckert is in pole position to be named the permanent Southampton manager after an impressive performance as the interim head coach.

The German tactician has won four of his five Championship games in the dugout, notably beating Charlton 5-1 away from home, but did lose 3-2 to Millwall last weekend.

It would be understandable if Sport Republic feel that Eckert has done enough in his interim spell in charge to earn the job on a permanent basis, but there is cause for concern with the former U21s boss.

Why Southampton should not appoint Tonda Eckert

The Saints are in a position, having just come down from the Premier League, where this may be their best chance to return to the top-flight before they have to cash in on more of their top talents with parachute payments dwindling.

Manager Focus

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This means that it would be a big risk to appoint a permanent manager based on five games as a first-team manager in England, as he had never managed a game at any level in any country before this run of matches, per Transfermarkt.

It is hard, therefore, to judge whether the first four wins were a byproduct of a ‘manager bounce’ or if they were down to his coaching, as he does not have a managerial history to back up his credentials.

Southampton need to find their next Nigel Adkins, who joined from Scunthorpe United to lead Saints to promotion from League One and the Championship and left the club in 15th place in the Premier League in his only season in the top-flight.

Instead of appointing Eckert, Sport Republic could hire their own version of Adkins by making a move for reported target and free agent manager Michael Carrick.

Why Carrick could be Southampton's next Adkins

Like Adkins, Carrick would arrive at St. Mary’s with a wealth of experience in English football already under his belt, thanks to his time with Middlesbrough.

The former Saints boss had managed Scunthorpe for four seasons, including two in the Championship, and won promotion from League One on two occasions, before taking Southampton from League One to the Premier League.

Carrick, of course, will not have to get the club out of the third tier, thankfully, but he is an English manager who has the potential to be a brilliant appointment.

Matches

16

30

Wins

4

18

Draws

5

4

Losses

7

8

Points

17

58

Points per game

1.06

1.93

League position

18th

4th

One of the reasons why he could be a great hire for the Saints is that he has achieved success in the position that they currently find themselves in, as he took Boro from 18th to 4th in his first season with the club.

The former Manchester United midfielder then led Middlesbrough to 8th and 10th place finishes in the second tier, but they ranked 5th and 6th for Expected Points in those two seasons, per FotMob, which suggests that his coaching deserved higher league finishes than it got.

Carrick, who Tom Cleverley once claimed “oozes class” as a manager, is a proven Championship head coach who has shown, over three seasons, that he can coach a team to deliver play-off quality performances, which Eckert, through no fault of his own, does not have in his corner.

The ex-Boro boss also picked up seven points in two games as interim manager at Manchester United in the Premier League before his spell in the Championship, and played 481 games in the division as a player, per Transfermarkt.

This suggests that he could also be an appointment with the Premier League in mind, because of his experience at that level, whilst Eckert has never played, managed, or coached in that league.

Therefore, Carrick appears more likely to be Southampton’s next Adkins than Eckert is, because of both his proven quality in the Championship as a manager and his potential to be a successful Premier League boss.

Southampton can hire big Eckert upgrade with move for "world-class" manager

Southampton can hire an even better manager than Tonda Eckert by making a move for this free agent boss.

ByDan Emery Dec 2, 2025

This is why Sport Republic should consider pushing to appoint the English tactician as their next permanent manager, rather than giving the interim German boss the job on a permanent basis.

Enzo Maresca has urged Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian to ignore comparisons with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, insisting the Brazilian should focus solely on improving himself. Ahead of a huge Champions League clash between two of Europe’s brightest teenagers, the Blues boss backed Estevao to become a “top player” if he keeps developing at his own pace.

• Maresca opens up on Estevao's comparison with Yamal

  Chelsea head coach Maresca has moved to calm comparisons between 18-year-old sensation Estevao and Barcelona prodigy Yamal as the pair prepare to share the pitch in a blockbuster Champions League encounter. Estevao has made an impressive start to his debut season in England, contributing goals and assists in limited minutes as Chelsea carefully manage his adaptation to Premier League football. His explosive dribbling and natural flair have made him a fan favourite already, and the youngster heads into the Barcelona match in strong form after impressing for both club and country.

  Maresca has repeatedly praised the winger’s maturity and willingness to learn but stressed that comparisons to more established players could add pressure at a stage where Estevao is still adjusting to European football. With four goals and one assist in 16 appearances, the Brazilian has already demonstrated he can influence high-level matches when used correctly. Chelsea consider him one of the cornerstones of their long-term project, but Maresca insists development must be gradual.

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  Maresca urges Estevao to enjoy football without pressure

  “Estevao is already playing at a high level and is starting games for Brazil,” Maresca told reporters ahead of the Barcelona clash. “He is very young and for sure can do many things better, but we are very happy with him. It’s nice for people who love football to watch players like Estevao, Lamine Yamal, Pedri. We are happy that Estevao is with us.”

  “Estevao is going to be an important player for this club in the future, no doubt. The most important thing for Estevao now is that he has to enjoy his football, he has to be happy, and not think about being better than this player or that player.” Maresca stressed the need to avoid external pressure. “He just has to be better than himself day by day, work hard and improve, and for sure he will be a top player for this club.”

  The Chelsea manager also warned that comparisons to Yamal are unfair and premature given their different trajectories. Yamal’s 31 goals and 42 assists in 118 Barcelona appearances place him in a more advanced career phase, while Estevao is only months into his European journey. Maresca finished by reiterating that enjoyment, learning and steady improvement remain the keys to Estevao’s development.

• Estevao's promising start at Chelsea after move from Palmeiras

  Estevao has been one of the breakout stories of Chelsea’s season, arriving from Palmeiras with enormous hype but immediately demonstrating he can handle the demands of elite football. His four goals and one assist only tell part of the story, as his speed, creativity and fearlessness have added a much-needed spark to the Blues’ attack. His international form strengthens his profile further, with five goals in his last six matches for Brazil signalling the rise of a future Selecao star.

  The winger’s journey from Palmeiras to England shows why Maresca is urging patience. At his former club, he registered 27 goals and 15 assists in 83 appearances, developing into one of South America’s top young prospects before Chelsea secured him. Despite the excitement, Maresca is aware of the challenges faced by young wingers entering the Premier League and wants to protect Estevao from comparisons that could hinder his growth.

  On the other side of the pitch is Yamal, whose prodigious emergence at Barcelona has set new standards for teenage talents. Having broken multiple age records and already established himself as a decisive force in La Liga and the Champions League, Yamal’s trajectory is unique even among elite prospects.

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  Chelsea take on Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday

  Estevao is expected to feature in some capacity against Barcelona, though Maresca may continue to manage his minutes carefully given the intensity of the fixture. The club’s long-term plan is to gradually increase his influence as he adapts physically and tactically to English and European football. A strong performance on the Champions League stage would further elevate his status but Chelsea remain focused on steady, sustainable development.

  Meanwhile, Yamal will be the first name on Hansi Flick's team list as the Catalan side finally start to receive players back from injury ahead of the packed winter schedule.

“We have an edge on this wicket. We’ve played two games here. Australia has not played any. But they have a lot of experienced players who have played cricket in most countries. The way they assess the game is better.” It was a pretty telling statement from Sidra Amin, ahead of Pakistan’s World Cup clash against Australia – an opponent they’ve never beaten before.While Pakistan have lost both matches they’ve played in Colombo, to Bangladesh and India, the prevailing school of thought is that the slowish conditions – ones that Australia are yet to experience at this tournament – might help bridge the gap between the two teams. But only slightly.”They have played all over the world. They know the conditions better,” Amin said. “They play the WBBLs and the Hundreds, and come and play in Asian conditions as well. They take preparation very seriously. I’ve heard they prepare for Asian conditions with indoor sessions with the temperature up to 35-40 degrees [Celsius]. So they can train that way as well.”Related

• Winless Pakistan have uphill task of facing near-invincible Australia

While women’s cricket has grown dramatically over the past few years, it’s grown faster for some than others. This discrepancy, in part, stems from the calibre of competition each side gets to face.In the three and a half years since the 2022 World Cup, Australia have actually played two fewer ODIs than Pakistan – 32 compared to 34. However, of those 32 games, 15 have come against India and England – among the tougher challenges in world cricket. Pakistan have played only four games against those two – seven if you include Australia themselves.Ellyse Perry: I think we all go out with the same approach, and that’s to be really positive•ICC/Getty Images

Beyond this, once you dive into the importance of a strong domestic structure, you begin to see clearly how Australia have evolved over the years. A point not lost on Ellyse Perry who, having debuted in 2007, has been part of two ODI World Cup-winning sides and has seen first-hand the fruits of investing in the women’s game.”I think we’re incredibly lucky,” she said. “We’ve got wonderful support back home in terms of the programmes that we’ve got. We’ve got a full-time domestic structure that breeds great depth in Australian cricket. We’re a cricket nation too that loves playing the game. So we’ve always, throughout history, had wonderful players.”And I think as a group, we love the challenge of continuing to find new ways to get better. You know, there’s so much competition in the global landscape now. I think all the advent of the franchise leagues around the world has just grown the depth of women’s cricket.”In that context, the confidence that Perry gave off when analysing how an aggressive batting unit such as Australia’s would play on a not-so-batting-friendly surface like the one in Colombo was unsurprising.”I think we have a conversation with our batting group, which we’re quite fortunate to have some depth in. So for us, and it’s something that we’ve discussed a lot over the last 12 months, is how we use that depth. It’s never going to be everyone’s day on the same day. Quite possibly it might just be one person’s day.”But I think we all go out with the same approach, and that’s to be really positive, but also really adaptable and smart to whatever the game’s presenting, whether that’s conditions or the opposition. I think there’s a blueprint there that applies to anywhere that you play, and then you’ve just got to be adaptable all day.”

Legendary former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos is extremely happy to see talented youngster Arda Guler getting a lot of playing under Xabi Alonso this season. While the ex-German international doesn't necessarily see Guler as his natural successor in midfield, he has absolutely no qualms about the fact that the Turkish international possesses all the tools to mark an era at the Bernabeu.

• Guler earns his place as Madrid begin the season on a high

  Since Xabi Alonso's appointment as the new head coach of Real Madrid at the end of May, things have been looking bright for Guler. After spending much of the 2024-25 season out of the starting lineup under former boss Carlo Ancelotti, Guler was handed the keys to the midfield at the Club World Cup – Alonso's first assignment after taking over Madrid's reins. The flamboyant left-footed midfielder was thoroughly impressive in the tournament in a new role which saw him played a bit deeper in central midfield as opposed to the right wing. 

  Since the start of the 2025-26 season, Guler's star has only improved. He has earned an increasingly prominent role in the midfield and has become a shoo-in in Alonso's setup, despite the presence of more established figures such as Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. He won La Liga's Under-23 Player of the Month award in September, and has played in each of the 16 games Madrid have played this season, 14 of those as a starter.

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  Kroos confident Guler will 'make his mark' at Madrid

  Madrid are lacking experienced figures in the midfield, with Kroos retiring from the sport in 2024 and Luka Modric leaving as a free agent to join AC Milan earlier this year. However, the 35-year-old is glad to see Guler, his former team-mate, get more minutes under his belt this season.

  "I'm happy that he's getting significantly more playing time this year for the first time, because he deserves it based on his footballing ability and he's a lad we can count on in the future," the ex-German international told . 

  However, Kroos believes that comparing Guler to him is not the right thing to do, with the former insisting that the latter is much more effective a bit higher up the field.

  "But I don't believe in comparisons," he added. "Arda is also a different type of player than me. His best position is much more attacking than mine, so it's not about me succeeding him at all. But I'm generally pleased because he's a good lad. I've played alongside him. He has a really delicate touch, which he's already used very effectively for Real this season. That's why I hope he continues to get consistent playing time, because that's the only way to improve. Then I'm sure he can make his mark at Real for many years to come."

• Alonso will continue to bank on Guler's talents

  Speaking to reporters after the 1-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League last month, Los Blancos manager Alonso had words of praise for Guler, signalling that he remains fully determined to develop the 20-year-old despite obvious room for improvement. 

  “Arda is in the process of improving everything," he said. "He’s 20 years old and has already played a few games for Madrid. With his age and quality, we have to support him. He needs to improve his decision-making and pressing, but he has a lot of good qualities. He gives great meaning to the game. When he’s involved, we have a better team dynamic. Where? It depends on what’s around him or what the game demands. I’m very happy with his progress, but we want more. He really enjoys playing football. He wants to find the pass, take the free kick… Wirtz was like that at Leverkusen. He’s young, but he’s a great player. He’s in the process, but at a high level.”

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  Guler-Mbappe symbiosis would be key to Madrid's success

  Guler has shown immense promise ever since he was moved to a deeper position on the field. His on-field partnership with Kylian Mbappe has drawn parallels to the chemistry Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo shared during their time at the club. “I like the comparisons between Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil and Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler," he said recently. "They’ve achieved great things, but significant success is always achieved by a team, never just two players."

  Mbappe has been in breathtaking form this season, scoring 18 goals in all competitions. He has scored 12 non-penalty goals, of which six have been assisted by Guler. On days when they have linked beautifully, Madrid have been a treat to watch. It's fair to say that the duo will be extremely crucial to Madrid's chances of lifting major silverware at the end of the season.

After scoring one goal and missing ten ‘big chances’, per Sofascore, in his first 12 appearances for Leeds United, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has finally found his feet at Elland Road.

The former England international has scored in successive games, against Manchester City and Chelsea, to take his tally to three goals in the Premier League.

Calvert-Lewin joined the Whites on a free transfer from Everton in the summer transfer window, and had looked to be a poor signing after his dismal start to the campaign in front of goal.

Daniel Farke will now be hoping that these two quickfire goals from the striker are not a flash in the pan and are a sign of things to come from the experienced forward.

Leeds offered the chance to sign Serie A striker

Despite Calvert-Lewin’s upturn in form in the Premier League in recent days, the Whites have been linked with a possible move for a player in his position in the January transfer window.

Transfer Focus

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

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Leeds United have been “offered” the chance to sign AC Milan centre-forward to bolster their options in the final third.

The accompanying report from TEAMtalk adds that Sunderland, Fulham, and West Ham United have also been contacted by intermediaries, who are looking to secure a January move for the striker.

It reveals that Milan are open to approaches for the Mexico international, almost a year on from his move to Italy from Feyenoord, but it remains to be seen how much they would demand for his services.

TEAMtalk also does not outline whether or not Leeds are willing to take up the offer to pursue a deal to sign the Mexican marksman, who could come in as an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.

Why Leeds should sign Santiago Gimenez

The Whites should push to bring Gimenez to Elland Road when the January transfer window opens for business because he could add more quality to the manager’s options in the number nine role.

It has been a difficult year for the 24-year-old marksman since his move to Milan, with just five Serie A goals in 2025, per Sofascore, but that could make this the perfect time for Leeds to sign him.

If he were still at Feyenoord and scoring over 20 goals a season in the Netherlands, Gimenez would be unattainable for Farke’s side. That is why his disappointing form for Milan should be viewed as an opportunity for Leeds, rather than something that should put them off a move for him.

Based on his form for Feyenoord in the previous three seasons, the Mexico international has the potential to arrive at Elland Road as a big upgrade on Calvert-Lewin, whose goal return is nowhere near as impressive as the Milan flop’s.

25/26

1

3

24/25

22

3

23/24

26

8

22/23

23

2

21/22

9

5

As you can see in the table above, Gimenez scored 22 goals or more in each of his last three full seasons, whilst the English striker has not hit double figures for goals since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, which suggests that the former could offer significant more in front of goal.

The Milan forward, who was hailed as a “machine” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has a particularly impressive record in European games, with six goals in 11 Europa League outings and eight goals in 11 Champions League appearances, per Transfermarkt.

Gimenez, as illustrated in the first goal in the clip above, is a penalty box striker who has the strength and composure to hold off physical defenders to get his shot away, which suggests that the physicality of the Premier League would not be an issue for him.

The Mexican number nine won 57% of his aerial duels in the Eredivisie last season, per Sofascore, whilst Calvert-Lewin has won 41% of his aerial contests in the Premier League this term for Leeds.

This suggests that he has the potential to be an excellent option for the Whites as both a goalscorer and as a physical presence up front, if he can get back to the form that he displayed at Feyenoord, which would make him a big upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.

Gimenez, who scored 22 goals from 15.77 xG last season (Sofascore), is at a low point in his career, with one goal this season, but that is why this could be such a shrewd deal for Leeds.

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The 49ers and Farke could gamble on the striker and hope that this has just been a blip in what has otherwise been a prolific career, which would see him arrive at Elland Road in January and get back to his best as an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.

Manchester United and Liverpool have both been linked with signing Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, but it is Ruben Amorim’s side who are in pole position ahead of the January transfer window.

Semenyo is one of the most impressive wide players in the Premier League currently, scoring six goals and registering three assists in the competition leading into the international break.

The 25-year-old is wanted by a host of top clubs, with United among those thought to be right in the mix to snap him up, potentially even in the January transfer window.

Semenyo has a £65m release clause in his current Bournemouth contract for a certain time period, with David Ornstein reporting the Cherries will effectively be powerless to stop a departure in early January.

Liverpool look to be the most interested out of United’s Premier League adversaries, as they look for an injection of attacking quality midway through the season, with the Reds believing Semenyo can be their next Sadio Mane.

Man Utd leading Liverpool in Semenyo race with player keen on move

According to a report from Spain, Manchester United are the front-runners to acquire Semenyo’s signature from Bournemouth in January, with INEOS seeing him as a top target for the Red Devils.

The report claims it’s “hard to believe Manchester United won’t secure the signing” due to their willingness to pay the release fee and Semenyo being interested in a move to Old Trafford.

They are ahead of Liverpool in the race, which will no doubt delight the supporters, with Amorim possibly eyeing a long-term replacement for Marcus Rashford, should he leave Old Trafford for good at the end of this season.

Semenyo feels like an ideal signing for United in the mould of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, in terms of players who have proven themselves in the Premier League and are ready to make the step-up to a bigger club.

The Ghanaian provides strong end product on a consistent basis, and has scored twice in three Premier League appearances against the Red Devils, while Pep Guardiola recently hailed his ability, calling him an “extraordinary” player.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola was asked earlier this week about the situation, saying he isn’t worried about losing his star player in January.

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Despite this, it is easy to envisage Semenyo’s head being turned by a move to United, especially if they continue their recent improved form under Amorim, and he would be a fabulous addition to the attack.

Man Utd have their own version of Semenyo & he's Amorim's "best player"

Leeds United are in some strife this season. After a strong start, the Whites find themselves in another relegation fight, with just 11 points to their name. That puts them one point clear of the drop zone, and with West Ham United and Nottingham Forest now two unbeaten, they could get caught.

Perhaps this was to be expected by Leeds fans at the start of the season. ESPN journalist Bill Connelly was someone who thought they’d go straight back down to the Championship, explaining that they “probably will have to figure out how to get by with defensive organisation and random bursts of quality attacking.”

Well, it’s not worked out like that so far, with manager Daniel Farke’s future now under question again.

Why Farke’s Leeds future is in doubt

Connelly identified a strong defence and clinical attacking bursts as the keys to how the Whites could keep themselves in the Premier League. Those two things have both been lacking so far this term.

Defensively, the West Yorkshire outfit have left a lot to be desired. They’ve been leaky at the back and have conceded 20 goals.

Despite signing three attackers in the summer, Farke’s side have managed to score just ten goals, better only than bottom-place Wolves.

This has, once again, brought the German’s job into question. He was reportedly close to getting sacked last season, but Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe said Farke is “my man” going into the Premier League adventure.

Circumstances can change quickly, though. Now, reports are suggesting Farke has five games to save himself. After losing the first one against Nottingham Forest before the international break, games against Aston Villa, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool await.

It does seem inevitable that Leeds will have to sack their manager sooner or later. They seem to have a new boss lined up who could get them thriving in front of goal again.

Leeds’ perfect Farke replacement

If Farke is removed from his post as Leeds head coach, journalist Graeme Bailey recently put forward a name for who could replace him.

He says that the pressure is piling on, especially ‘when you have a manager like Brendan Rodgers available,’ a man Leeds could well move for if they sack the German.

Rodgers was once described as a “world-class” manager by Gabby Agbonlahor on talkSPORT, after his impressive performances at Leicester City.

The Foxes were punching above their weight for years, partly thanks to the Northern Irishman’s contributions.

At the King Power Stadium, he looked to capitalise on quick transitional situations, with some dangerous attacking players at his disposal. Those included the likes of James Maddison and star striker Jamie Vardy.

In fact, getting the best out of his strikers has always been a key feature of Rodgers’ management, no matter what club he was at.

He has coached some big-name centre-forwards, including Vardy and Luis Suarez, all of whom have enjoyed success under the Northern Irishman.

Most successful strikers under Rodgers

Player (club)

Games

Goals

Jamie Vardy (Leicester)

157

70

Luis Suarez (Liverpool)

81

61

Moussa Dembele (Celtic)

94

51

Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester, Celtic)

151

46

Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)

70

43

Stats from Transfermarkt

That could be music to Leeds fans’ ears, given their difficulties in front of goal. Perhaps Rodgers – and his attack-minded 4-3-3 setup – can be the guy to finally get them thriving in front of goal.

He may have a new striker to work with, too. Troy Parrott is a target for the club, according to recent reports, and could be on the move this January.

He has been on fire with club side AZ Alkmaar since moving there last summer, and has 33 goals and seven assists in 61 games.

Of course, he was the hero for the Republic of Ireland last week, helping them reach the World Cup playoffs.

That is exactly the sort of goalscoring prowess that Leeds are lacking at the moment. Despite having three strikers on the books, they are missing that clinical edge in front of goal.

Parrott, however, has just that, and could be the difference maker – much like Vardy was in the past under Rodgers.

With Rodgers’ impressive track record working with strikers, Parrott could be the next number nine the potential Leeds boss gets the best out of.

Together, they might be the perfect pair to get Leeds scoring goals and get them out of this relegation battle.

Related £45k-per-week Leeds flop looks like their biggest disaster since Koch

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Nov 19, 2025

أعلن الهولندي آرني سلوت، المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول تشكيل فريقه لمواجهة نظيره بي إس في آيندهوفن ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويواجه ليفربول نظيره آيندهوفن الهولندي مساء اليوم، الأربعاء، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، الحادية عشر بتوقيت مكة المكرمة.

ويستضيف ملعب “آنفيلد” المباراة بين ليفربول وآيندهوفن ضمن منافسات الجولة الخامسة من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

اقرأ أيضًا | هامان يوجه رسالة لـ سلوت حول استبعاد محمد صلاح من تشكيل ليفربول

ويدخل ليفربول المباراة بعدما خسر خسارة مُذلة أمام نوتينجهام فورست بثلاثية نظيفة ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “بريميرليج”.

ويحتل ليفربول المركز العاشر في جدول ترتيب دوري أبطال أوروبا برصيد 9 نقاط، وفي حال تمكن من تحقيق الفوز اليوم سيكون رصيد 12 نقطة بالمركز الرابع أو السادس على أقل تقدير.

ويجلس على دكة البدلاء كلًا من: وودمان، ميسيور، جوميز، إندو، إيزاك، كييزا، روبرتسون، نيوني، نجوموها. تشكيل ليفربول اليوم أمام آيندهوفن في دوري أبطال أوروبا

في حراسة المرمى: جيورجي مامارداشفيلي.

في خط الدفاع: كيرتس جونز – فيرجيل فان دايك – إبراهيما كوناتي – ميلوس كيركيز.

في خط الوسط: ماك أليستر – ريان جرافنبيرخ – دومينيك سوبوسلاي.

في خط الهجوم: محمد صلاح – هوجو إيكتيكي – كودي جاكبو.

England’s attack-at-all-costs philosophy needed to adapt, and it has. How will it acquit itself against the acid test that Australia will throw at it?

Greg Chappell18-Nov-2025The Ashes in Australia has always served as Test cricket’s most unforgiving crucible, and for England, the coming series offers the ultimate stress test. Under the stewardship of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, they have undergone a profound psychological and stylistic shift.The name “Bazball” came about informally, coined by ESPNcricinfo’s UK editor Andrew Miller in the summer of 2022, shortly after McCullum was appointed head coach alongside new captain Stokes. McCullum, a naturally aggressive player, and Stokes, a captain defined by his proactive approach, provided the perfect psychological environment for this new style to flourish.The philosophy, at its heart, was about giving players mental freedom and eliminating the fear of failure. It was intended to import the fearless, results-oriented methodology of short-form cricket into the five-day game, resulting in an unprecedented run rate of 4.8 per over until mid-2023. Bazball must now mature if it is to succeed against the pace, bounce, and the Australian milieu.Related

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Will Australia's pitches be juicy for the Ashes?

Duckett: England evolving from being 'entertaining, reckless at times'

This proactive style yielded immediate, sensational outcomes in England. It was liberating for a team that had long struggled. They transitioned from a dismal 6% win rate in the 17 Tests prior to the regime change to a robust 61% success rate overall since. The highs were dramatic, epitomised by a run of record-breaking fourth-innings chases in 2022, where England successfully hunted down four targets of 275-plus, including a monumental 378 runs against India. Their bold declaration against Pakistan in Rawalpindi later that year, giving the hosts a tempting target of 343 runs that eventually led to a memorable 74-run England victory, was immediately hailed as proof of the positive, find-a-way-to-win mentality.However, a deeper analysis reveals a stark geographical dependence that exposes the limits of Bazball 1.0. England’s win rate at home starting with the 2022 summer has been 68%, but away, this figure is 50% – a 26% gap that suggests the revolution is dependent on neutered designer pitches.This statistical difference is directly linked to the environmental context of English cricket. The home success of Bazball has hinged on wickets deliberately prepared to be flatter and more benign than traditional English seaming Test pitches. Stokes explicitly requested fast and flat pitches upon assuming the captaincy, leading to surfaces that minimised the lateral movement that once defined the challenge of playing in England. James Anderson, the master of seam and swing, publicly lamented that the Edgbaston pitch for the 2023 Ashes Test was “like kryptonite” for him, confirming the conditions were hostile to traditional seam-bowling skills.Furthermore, the shorter boundaries at many English Test grounds, which are exempt from strict minimum-size rules, fundamentally mitigate the risk inherent in frenetic batting. An aggressive horizontal-bat shot that clears a short square boundary in England might be caught easily on the expansive fields of Australia.9:19

How should England line up for the first Test?

The inevitable consequences of this high-risk strategy, when those environmental cushions are removed, are spectacular collapses. The team’s rapid implosion against India in Rajkot, where a strong position of 224 for 2 turned into 319 all out, and the stunning eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka at home – labelled by some as the worst batting of the Bazball era – serve as stark reminders of the volatility inherent in the approach. Bazball cannot become an excuse to avoid doing the hard yards that Test cricket demands.The key narrative heading into this Ashes series is that England have learnt this lesson and are now moving away from the unbridled, all-out assault of Bazball 1.0.England opener Ben Duckett, a key beneficiary of the aggressive approach, who has averaged 49 (with a strike rate of 87) in home Tests, recently confirmed that the side is evolving from being “entertaining, reckless at times”. Instead, the focus is on a strategic maturation: “reading moments”. Duckett cited the need to “just get through it” when facing five difficult overs at the end of a day, prioritising survival so as to be present the next morning rather than seeking runs at all costs.This subtle, but critical, evolution has not gone unnoticed by the opposition. Australia spinner Nathan Lyon observed that England are now “thinking about ways to win games, not being totally reckless”, while Steve Smith has said England have started to play the situation. This shift, from “reckless entertainment” to disciplined, high-intent positivity – marks the necessary birth of Bazball 2.0.The Australian challenge will be severe. The pitches, starting with the pace and true bounce of Perth, are ideal for an even contest between bat and ball. These are surfaces that reward discipline and sound judgement.While Australia have suffered the loss of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to injury for the opening Test, their veteran pace unit remains skilful enough to punish reckless batting. The core of the attack – Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and the indefatigable Lyon – are key parts of one of the most enduringly successful bowling units in history. Hazlewood’s loss, on top of that of Cummins, is disappointing for the sake of the series. Hazlewood is arguably the most dangerous bowler against batters bearing a purely aggressive mindset. His absence in Perth will be dispiriting for Australia and noticeable.7:41

What can we expect from Harry Brook on his first Ashes tour?

The outcome of this series will pivot on how England’s top order navigates the conditions in Perth and Brisbane.Zak Crawley has been persevered with specifically because he is seen as someone who will flourish on the bouncy wickets with his stand-and-deliver methods. However, he will need immense discretion; attempting to drive too freely on the up against the extra bounce on Australian wickets will see him nick off regularly. Duckett, while he has bloomed in the Bazball era, will find that partnerships become more important than explosive starts, demanding he focus on absorbing pressure as much as on scoring quickly.Meanwhile Ollie Pope, who often seems to be under constant pressure to hold his spot, will need a strong showing in the first two Tests. Should he fail to score significant runs, the calls for the exciting but unproven young talent Jacob Bethell to replace him will inevitably grow louder.Joe Root remains the established star, a bedrock of consistency whom the others will lean on. Harry Brook, the cricket meteor on the rise, is arguably England’s greatest batting prospect. With his minimal movement at the crease and ability to use the angle of the delivery, he reminds me of a young Sachin Tendulkar. Brook’s record is similar (better, in fact) to Tendulkar’s at the same stage of his career. If this burgeoning superstar can adapt quickly to the conditions and temper his ambition with discretion, he could cement his reputation as a world-class talent. Jamie Smith is another exciting batter but one who needs to forget his recent poor New Zealand form.The England team that takes the field in Australia will still be upbeat. We should not expect to see their unbridled early days of Bazball 1.0 again. What we should expect, however, is a fiercely competitive bunch who have finally matured into a tough, aggressive, and calculating unit. Their success will not be measured by run rate but by their willingness to buckle down and undertake the hard work that is required in the demanding conditions of Australia.With the loss of Cummins and Hazlewood for Perth, the balance has shifted inexorably towards England.

New Zealand thrive on green-tinged pitch before the weather has the final say

Andrew Miller18-Oct-2025

Sam Curran and Brydon Carse punch gloves during England’s late rally•Sanka Vidanagama/AFP via Getty Images

England 153 for 6 (Curran 49*, Bracewell 1-10) vs New Zealand – match abandonedIt turns out there’s a reason New Zealand don’t often host international cricket in October. A truly glorious sunset over Christchurch gave way to dankness and mizzle after dark, as persistent rain wrecked a well-poised contest at Hagley Oval and sent a capacity crowd home unfulfilled.The home fans could at least be content that their own players had had the better of the 20 overs that were possible. New Zealand’s six bowlers claimed a wicket apiece, as England’s aggressive batters struggled to cope with the early-season movement of a green-tinged pitch.Only Sam Curran, with a gritty if fortunate 49 not out from 35 balls, resisted for any length of time. His 19-run take-down of Jacob Duffy’s final over hoisted England past the venue’s par score of 150, to set up what should have been a compelling fight to the finish. That will now have to wait until these teams reconvene at the same place on Monday.Runs at a premiumBoth captains had been eager to get first use of the conditions, and sure enough, the die was cast for an uncomfortable evening for batters when Phil Salt – usually England’s banker for a flying start – fell in the second over for 3, caught at short third off Jacob Duffy having failed to middle any of his four deliveries.That brought Jacob Bethell to the middle at No. 3, to begin his long and public audition for a similar role in the Ashes. Suffice to say, he didn’t quite enhance his claims on this showing. Three air-shots in five dot-balls gave way to back-to-back boundaries, including a firm swipe for six down the ground. But then he climbed across Matt Henry’s short ball, and top-edged a steepler back to the bowler for 15 from 13.England emerged from the Powerplay with some impetus at 44 for 2, thanks to Jos Buttler’s old-school nous and eye for a scoring opportunity. But, having reached 18 from his first ten balls, he lost momentum along with the strike, adding just five more from his last nine, which were stretched across five fallow mid-innings overs.Initially this didn’t seem to matter, with Harry Brook greeting Jimmy Neesham’s seamers with two sixes in his first three balls. But Neesham hit back with a cutter that flicked off the captain’s pads to bowl him for 20 from 14, whereupon Tom Banton struggled to get started in his unfamiliar mid-innings role.He made it to 9 from eight balls at the ten-over drinks break, then slapped his first ball of the resumption to long-on, as Mitchell Santner got his reward for a typically unrelenting spell. When Buttler followed one over later, caught at mid-off as he too failed to hit the spin of Michael Bracewell off his length, England were in peril at 81 for 5.Jacob Duffy struck early to remove Phil Salt•Joe Allison/Getty Images

Curran the cat claws a totalJordan Cox and Sam Curran were integral to Oval Invincibles’ latest Hundred triumph, but usually through front-footed onslaughts from No. 3 and 4 respectively. This rearguard from No. 6 and 7 required rather different skillsets – and, as it turned out, a fair dollop of luck.A timely rain-break in the 17th over offered England a chance to regroup, which Cox seemed to seize when he slapped Kyle Jamieson’s first ball of the resumption through the covers for four. But Jamieson hit back immediately, getting a length ball to stick in the pitch as Cox’s timing deserted him. Notwithstanding his fifty against Ireland in his previous outing, this 16 from 18 marked another missed opportunity for a player who – for a variety of reasons – can’t quite grasp his chances in the England set-up.Curran has also been on the outside looking in since Brendon McCullum took over as head coach, but his time would appear to have come, and even the fates seem to agree. Invaluable though his innings was, he was the beneficiary of two badly dropped catches – on 14, as Duffy spilled a steepler in his followthrough, and on 26, as Tim Robinson misjudged a pull to deep midwicket off Henry.He had a further life five balls later, when Jamieson pinned him on the knee-roll as he lined up a ramp. A speculative review showed it had pitched outside leg, by which stage he was already most of the way off the pitch.But he did the needful as the overs ran out, scampering the twos as New Zealand set their men back in the deep, before a final-over six and two fours hauled England to a total that might well have proved sufficient had the weather permitted a defence. On that, however, we’ll never know.