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Newcastle United’s 2025/26 season has been one of promise blended with frustration.

While their defensive record remains one of the best in the Premier League – six clean sheets already this season – their attacking consistency has faltered.

The Magpies have looked strong at St. James’ Park but sluggish on the road, struggling at times to turn control into goals.

Eddie Howe’s side sit comfortably in mid-table, though many supporters expected more after last year’s Champions League qualification.

Their issues have been familiar ones – injuries to key full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, which forced Howe to shuffle his backline.

Fortunately, Malick Thiaw’s calm presence alongside Sven Botman has provided stability, while Dan Burn has once again filled in wherever required.

Despite these disruptions, Newcastle remain difficult to beat. They boast the second-lowest expected goals conceded (4.9) in the league, a testament to their structure and discipline.

Yet, as they seek greater attacking fluidity, attention inevitably turns to one man who has been the face of their attacking revival under Howe.

Anthony Gordon's form in numbers

Anthony Gordon has become the symbol of Newcastle’s evolution under Howe – an embodiment of energy, aggression, and belief.

Having joined from Everton in a deal worth £45m, he has since justified every penny, developing into one of the Premier League’s most direct and productive wide forwards.

Last season, Gordon contributed 11 goals and nine assists in all competitions, earning a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s most recent England squad.

His end product, once questioned, has improved dramatically thanks to Howe’s coaching.

He ranks among the top 10% of Premier League wingers for successful take-ons (2.47 per 90) and progressive carries (5.91 per 90), while averaging 2.2 key passes per game.

Matches Played

34

Goals

6

Assists

5

Progressive Carries

121

Progressive Passes

98

But Gordon’s greatest asset lies in his mentality.

He presses relentlessly, tracks back, and plays with the intensity Newcastle fans demand.

In recent fixtures, his combination play with Nick Woltemade has been central to Newcastle’s attacking threat, often driving transitions from deep and providing the spark when games look flat.

Howe has nurtured Gordon into a well-rounded, two-way player capable of influencing big games.

However, while the 24-year-old’s rise has rightly drawn attention, there’s another name inside the club quietly making waves – and he could be an even greater attacking weapon in years to come.

Newcastle have the next breakout star in waiting

In the shadows of Gordon’s rise, Seung-soo Park has been steadily earning admiration from Newcastle’s coaching staff.

The 18-year-old South Korean winger, who arrived from Ulsan Hyundai for a modest fee, has been said by Asian football expert John Duerden to be “similar to Mbappé” for his acceleration, close control, and composure in one-on-one situations.

Park’s development path mirrors Howe’s philosophy of patient integration.

Having initially trained with the U21s, he’s now a regular in Premier League 2, also impressing in the UEFA Youth League.

His off-ball intelligence – particularly his timing when attacking space behind full-backs – has caught the eye of the first-team analysts.

At just 18, Park’s statistical profile is already elite for his age group.

Last season, he averaged 4.8 successful dribbles per 90, ranked in the 92nd percentile for progressive carries, and completed 83% of his passes in the final third, as per Sofascore, a rare combination of flair and precision.

His ability to maintain tempo while carrying the ball resembles the traits that made Mbappé stand out as a teenager at Monaco – explosiveness matched with control.

Howe’s staff view him as more than just a development project.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

With Newcastle competing on multiple fronts, Park could soon see first-team action, particularly with the ongoing injury crisis.

Much like Howe did with Lewis Miley last season, the manager has a track record of rewarding academy excellence.

If Park continues his current form, it’s only a matter of time before he steps onto the Premier League stage.

His versatility, able to operate on either flank or even as a second striker, gives Howe tactical flexibility – something Newcastle have missed at times this season.

While Gordon remains the headline act in Newcastle’s attack, Park may yet become the more complete forward.

He combines Gordon’s intensity with an even sharper technical ceiling, blending raw pace, control, and end product that hints at world-class potential.

For a club intent on competing with England’s elite, Howe’s faith in youth could once again be the defining factor of their project.

Newcastle's "world-class" star is becoming another Woltemade-type figure

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are ready to challenge the biggest hitters across the continent this season.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 16, 2025

Freya Kemp proved Hampshire Hawks’ last-over hero to edge a nail-biter against winless Somerset in the Women’s Vitality Blast.Rhianna Southby’s 57 and Ellyse Perry’s 40 had given Hampshire the advantage in chasing 154, but accurate bowling had seen them fall behind the rate.With 11 runs needed off the last over, Kemp pumped a six down the ground before knocking off the remaining runs to give Hawks just their second win in the last seven matches to give them renewed hope of qualifying for finals day.Fran Wilson had given Somerset a defendable total with 55 but it wasn’t enough for the bottom-placed side.Somerset chose to bat first under grey skies, and found a consistent tempo to build partnerships and accumulate runs. Bex Odgers set up the innings with a quickfire 18 filled with cuts to the boundary before Wilson took over to provide the backbone of the innings.Former England batter Wilson had only scored 103 runs in her previous seven innings but a delicious straight drive got her moving. Wilson isn’t known for her power-hitting, with her touch-play a defining part of her international career. That was also the case on this occasion, with deft ramps and paddles helping her reach a 30-ball fifty.She had seen Niamh Holland, Sophie Luff, and Jess Hazell come and go – the former two to the impeccable Bex Tyson – before Amanda-Jade Wellington entered to kick-on in the last six overs.Wilson was run out after a mix-up and a direct hit from extra cover, and while Wellington tried to put off the bowlers with her moving around the crease and funky stances outside off stump, boundaries were hard to find at the death.Somerset managed to find 43 runs off the last five overs, mainly through hard running, with only three boundaries off the bat in that time. Freya Davies capitalised on the last over bat flailing by picking up the wickets of Wellington and Alex Griffiths, and with the earlier wicket of Odgers, returned 3 for 38.Somerset’s 153 felt below par and when Australian superstar Perry got the Hawks off to a flier around short rain delays it appeared to confirm it. Perry, on her home debut, used her immense quality to power the ball to the boundary seven times but met her downfall attempting to scoop Erin Vukusic and was pinned lbw for 40. It was the Croatian’s first Blast wicket.Her opening partner Southby struggled with timing but slowly managed to accumulate and with Kemp found their way to around the required rate with a 68-run stand. But Somerset’s tight bowling, especially from Vukusic and Griffiths gave Hawks 27 to chase in the last three overs.Kemp was dropped on the boundary edge for four, but when Southby was bowled for 57 with 16 still needed in 11 balls, the result was in the balance. But Kemp smashed the second ball of the last over, bowled by Griffiths, over long on before two twos got them over the line with two balls to spare.

Fabrizio Romano has now shared an update on Endrick’s future at Real Madrid, with West Ham’s striker search taking a significant twist.

Endrick is gearing up to leave Real on loan in January, and Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have been touted as one of the fierce contenders for his signature.

The 19-year-old, still widely regarded as one of Brazil’s brightest young prospects, hasn’t exactly had a smooth ride since joining the La Liga giants.

With first-team opportunities limited at the Bernabeu as a result of fitness issues and competition for places in Xabi Alonso’s side, a loan move appears to be the next logical step for his development.

West Ham have reportedly held talks about bringing Endrick on loan, already positioning themselves well in the race for his signature ahead of January.

Other clubs are also interested, like Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Brentford, according to some reports, but West Ham’s reported early discussions could give them an edge.

This comes as Nuno allegedly urges David Sullivan, Karren Brady and the Hammers hierarchy to sign a new defender, midfielder and forward (GiveMeSport), but with funds tight, temporary deals could be a key theme of their winter window.

Endrick is poised to be one of Europe’s finest talents available on loan in January, leaving little wonder why West Ham are very keen to secure his signature.

While the teenager has struggled for game time under Alonso, Endrick did score five Copa del Rey goals to fire Los Blancos to the final of the competition last season, before they eventually lost to Barcelona.

West Ham’s results in the Premier League so far

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

The former Palmeiras sensation would be an excellent signing for West Ham, and one who’d inject much-needed flair and enthusiasm to their forward line.

The prospect of a Premier League move could also tempt Endrick, as it would do with any other player on the continent, but according to Romano, West Ham now face growing competition for his services.

Fabrizio Romano shares Endrick update as West Ham striker search takes twist

Taking to X, the reliable transfer journalist now claims that Ligue 1 giants Lyon have opened talks to sign Endrick on loan — which could seriously impact West Ham’s chances of a deal.

Endrick is believed to be intrigued by the possibility of a move to France, as Paulo Fonseca’s side already make their intentions known with an “official approach” just over two months before the January window opens.

Commenting further, Romano also says that while Endrick is still waiting to assess all of his options, potentially including West Ham, the attacker is pretty keen on Lyon as an option.

If a move for Endrick eventually becomes out of West Ham’s reach, it is worth noting that they’ve also held rumoured discussions about signing his Real teammate, Gonzalo Garcia.

The Spaniard, who finished last summer’s Club World Cup as the competition’s joint-top scorer, has also struggled to establish himself as a starter for Alonso this season and could be a great alternative to Endrick.

There are other options for West Ham as well, but it is absolutely imperative that the club back Nuno with a new centre-forward, especially considering Niclas Fullkrug’s injury woes and their lack of decent options.

West Ham already working on deal to sign £40 million striker in January.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos visitou o Bahia nesta segunda-feira (18), na Arena Fonte Nova, pela 24ª rodada do Brasileirão. A partida terminou com vitória alvinegra por 2 a 1, com gols de Marcos Leonardo, Camilo Cándido e Julio Furch — grande herói do jogo.

BAHIA 1 X 2 SANTOS
24ª RODADA DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

Local:Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador (BA)
Data e hora:18 de setembro de 2023, segunda-feira, às 20h (horário de Brasília)
Árbitro:Ramon Abatti Abel (FIFA-SC)
Assistentes:Alex dos Santos (SC) e Thiaggo Americano Labes (SC)
VAR:Carlos Eduardo Nunes Braga (RJ)
Cartões amarelos:Lucas Mugni (BAH) e Joaquim (SAN)
Cartões vermelhos:-

Gols:Camilo Cándido, 14’/2ºT (1-0), Marcos Leonardo, 27’/2°T (1-1) e Julio Furch, 48’/2ºT (1-2)

BAHIA
Marcos Felipe; Gilberto, Kanu, Vitor Hugo e Camilo Cándido; Acevedo, Yago Felipe (Mugni, 37’/2°T) e Thaciano; Ademir (Luciano Juba, 20’/2ºT), Rafael Ratão (Biel, 27’/2ºT) e Everaldo (Vinicius Mingotti, 27’/2ºT).Técnico:Rogério Ceni.

SANTOS
João Paulo; Joaquim, João Basso e Dodô; Lucas Braga, Rincón, Jean Lucas, Lucas Lima (Nonato, 31’/2ºT) e Kevyson (Júnior Caiçara, 34’/2°T); Soteldo (Dodi, 46’/2°T) e Marcos Leonardo (Julio Furch, 46’/2ºT).Técnico:Marcelo Fernandes.

Arsenal are fresh off the back of a blockbuster transfer window as they look to compete with fellow big spenders Liverpool for the Premier League title.

Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta worked in tandem on some huge deals, with the former making quite an impression since replacing ex-sporting director Edu Gaspar in late March.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

£5m

Martin Zubimendi

£60m

Christian Norgaard

£15m

Noni Madueke

£52m

Cristhian Mosquera

£13m

Viktor Gyokeres

£55m

Eberechi Eze

£67.5m

Piero Hincapie

Loan

The Italian oversaw a transfer spend worth over £250 million on an array of new signings across the pitch, perhaps most notably Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze, who could both prove to be absolutely vital.

It is early days, but after Arsenal’s limp 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, the Gunners have already attracted criticism for their lack of ingenuity in the final third, especially away from home.

Eze and Gyokeres bagged 68 goals and 24 assists in all competitions between them last term, with the pair joining Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke as Berta’s first eight major signings as sporting director.

Berta’s deadline day capture of Hincapie was labelled a “masterstroke” as well, with Arteta now boasting two capable back-ups to William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of his defence.

Amidst the international break, and as Arteta prepares for a crucial next game, controversial former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has shared a very interesting story from his time at the Emirates Stadium.

Guardiola phoned Adebayor "every morning" in talks to sign him from Arsenal

The 41-year-old, in an interview with Sky Sports this week, shared the story behind his blockbuster move from north London to Man City — which, of course, resulted in that infamous away end celebration.

Before signing for City, Adebayor was a wanted man across Europe after 62 goals and 18 assists in 142 total appearances under Arsène Wenger, with then-Barcelona boss, a much younger Pep Guardiola, ringing the player “every morning” in a bid to sign him.

The forward didn’t end up staying at City either, and instead was the target of further loathing from supporters, even joining north London rivals Tottenham after a brief stint on loan there and at Real Madrid.

Adebayor’s last club was quite recently, Togolese side AC Semassi in 2023 to be exact, but didn’t manage a single goal there before finally deciding to hang up his boots for good.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nesta terça-feira (18), a Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF), divulgou o calendário detalhados dos jogos das semifinais da Copa do Brasil. Veja, abaixo, as datas, os horários e a transmissão dos duelos entre Flamengo e Grêmio, e São Paulo e Corinthians.

+ Veja a tabela completa da Copa do Brasil

O primeiro jogo da semifinal será disputado na próxima terça-feira (25), entre Corinthians e São Paulo. A bola vai rolar às 21h30 (horário de Brasília), na Neo Química Arena. O clássico de volta vai ser realizado no dia 16 de agosto, quarta-feira, no Morumbi, às 19h30.

Já no segundo chaveamento, Grêmio e Flamengo se enfrentam na quarta-feira, dia 26 de julho, na Arena do Grêmio, às 21h30 (horário de Brasília). O duelo terá transmissão ao vivo em TV aberta. A partida de volta, que será disputada no Maracanã, vai ser realizada no dia 16 de agosto, no mesmo horário.

+ Saiba os clubes que mais ganharam em premiação na Copa do Brasil 2023

VEJA CALENDÁRIO

JOGOS DE IDA DAS SEMIFINAIS

CorinthiansxSão Paulo – terça-feira, 25/7, às 21h30. Neo Química Arena.Onde assistir: SporTV, Amazon Prime e Premiere

Grêmio x Flamengo -quarta-feira, 26/7, às 21h30 – Arena do Grêmio – Copa do Brasil. Onde assistir: Globo, SporTV, Amazon Prime e Premiere

JOGOS DE VOLTA DAS SEMIFINAIS

São Paulo x Corinthians – quarta-feira, 16/8, às 19h30. Morumbi. Onde assistir: SporTV, Amazon Prime e Premiere

Flamengo x Grêmio -quarta-feira, 16/8, às 21h30. Maracanã – Copa do Brasil. Onde assistir: Globo, SporTV, Amazon Prime e Premiere

Dessa forma, apenas os jogos entre Flamengo e Grêmio terão transmissão ao vivo em TV aberta. Além disso, cariocas e gaúchos entrarão em campo para o duelo decisivo já sabendo o finalista do outro chaveamento, visto que São Paulo e Corinthians decidem a vaga horas antes.

New captain Axar also hoped to draw experience from team-mates Rahul and du Plessis, both of whom have led IPL teams in the past

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Mar-20255:24

Does Brook’s absence alter Rahul’s role?

The uncertainty over KL Rahul’s availability for Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2025 opener against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Visakhapatnam continues even though he has joined the team. DC’s new captain Axar Patel confirmed that because of “personal” reasons Rahul may or not may play the first game. DC’s new head coach Hemang Badani also kept Rahul’s batting position in “suspense” and said people will have to “wait and watch” until Monday.”Obviously, he joined the team,” Axar said of Rahul’s availability. “We don’t know yet [if he’ll play]. Right now we don’t know if he is available or not.”Related

Rahul and Starc loom as key figures for DC

Spotlight on Rahul and Pant as DC and LSG begin new season with new hope

Axar takes over the DC captaincy from Rishabh Pant, who was bought by LSG, and looking at the high-scoring trends in the IPL since last season, said his team will have to “evolve” to keep up with the changing times. After scoring the highest IPL team total of 287 last season, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) came very close to breaking their own record in the second game of the season when they racked up 286 against Rajasthan Royals while Axar was speaking in Visakhapatnam.”Nowadays cricket has changed a lot,” Axar said. “Mostly IPL is more about batsman’s game, fours and sixes. So we have to evolve as a team. At the end of the day, I don’t want to complicate things. As captain I told the group that cricket is a game, keep it simple. A good yorker is a good yorker ball and if your execution is good, then you will be fine. So I am not telling them too much that you should go for this and that. I am just asking them to keep it simple, that’s my strategy throughout the tournament.Axar Patel leads the team talk in his first season as captain in the IPL•Delhi Capitals”We learn from the last season, I said that cricket has evolved too much. From the last season we learned that you have to be ahead of the game. You can’t be chasing the game. It’s not like in the powerplay we have to swing the ball or we have to bowl length balls. We can even start from two-three slower balls. So it’s not any particular plan for any batsman. We have to change the plan according to the situation which I learned from the last season.”Axar and Badani both welcomed the two new rules of using the saliva on the ball and the sides bowling second in evening games having the option of changing the ball after the 10th over to try and counter the challenge of dew in the chase. Badani said the rules were in the “right direction” to bring “back the balance between bat and ball”.”The IPL is all about the batsmen nowadays. So if we get something for the bowlers, it’s very nice to see,” Axar said. “Now we can allow the saliva and if something is there for the bowlers, it’s great for the game also and for the bowlers, they can find that reverse swing at the end. Also in most of the venues in the IPL, the dew factor is there. So if after 10th over the fresh ball [option] is there, they are good rules and it’s very good for the bowlers. They have something to execute and they might find it easier [to stop the runs].”DC have never won the IPL in 17 years so far and handed Axar the captaincy over Rahul, who has led India in the past, and Faf du Plessis, who has captained South Africa and still leads in the SA20. Axar hoped to draw experience from them.”Our mindset is going there to express ourselves, be fearless and we are all ready to give our 100% and the players are also really enjoying the atmosphere here in DC family. We are ready to roll.”I am very confident about the Delhi Capitals team. I am playing since 2019 for Delhi Capitals and I have grown as a cricketer in this franchise. It’s an honour for me to lead this franchisee and there are many leaders in our team. So from them I get that experience and they are there for me. Faf is there, KL is there and many experienced players are there. So we have a good balanced team. And we will change the results this time.”

Lionel Messi is being urged to follow David Beckham's example and become an owner when his playing career in MLS is over. A new contract for the Argentine superstar at Inter Miami is being speculated on, with American soccer eager to see the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner remain part of their brand for the foreseeable future. It could be that he stays on for many years to come.

New Messi contract: Terms to be revealed

Details of the terms presented to Messi are yet to be revealed, with it previously suggested that he could agree an extension through to 2028. That would take the South American GOAT beyond his 40th birthday.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALWhat next for Messi? Retirement plans

The end of a remarkable career would be close by then, with it yet to be determined what Messi will do once record-shattering boots are hung up for the final time. His initial deal in South Florida includes a 10 per cent stake in Inter Miami, but he may decide to head off on his own.

Will MLS find a role for Messi? ex-USMNT star hopes so

Whatever happens, Brad Friedel is hoping that a role is found for Messi in American sport. The former USMNT goalkeeper, speaking in association with , told GOAL when quizzed on what is next for Messi: "I hope from an MLS point of view and football in America that he stays put. I think that a departure would be a big blow to MLS, a big blow to building things up for MLS prior to a World Cup on home soil.

"There have been a lot of players at the end of their careers that have come to MLS. He’s been one that has performed incredibly well, you see his numbers – goals and assists don’t lie. He’s been incredibly professional around the league itself. I think that would be a big blow for the league if he didn’t sign a new deal.

"The thing that makes any professional league tick, in any sport, is the type of media rights deals that you can get to keep the sport going. When you have people like Lionel Messi, it helps a lot.

"For someone that grew up in this country without a professional league at all, I would like to think that perhaps when he has done playing he will still be involved in MLS in an ownership capacity or something of that nature – to keep helping the name and the brand of MLS to grow. That’s from a selfish standpoint. Let’s hope that he stays in Miami."

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GettySettled in Sunshine State: Messi & family happy

Messi moved to the United States in 2023, with the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker bidding farewell to European football. His family are settled in Florida, with fresh terms at Inter Miami set to carry him through the 2026 World Cup with reigning champions Argentina.

أعلن الإسباني لويس إنريكي، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي باريس سان جيرمان قائمة فريقه التي ستخوض مباراة برشلونة ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ومن المقرر أن يخوض باريس سان جيرمان مباراته أمام برشلونة في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا غدًا الأربعاء، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.

ويستضيف ملعب “مونتجويك” مباراة باريس سان جيرمان وبرشلونة في قمة الجولة الثانية من مسابقة “ذات الأذنين”.

ويغيب عن صفوف باريس سان جيرمان كلًا من ديزيريه دوي، وعثمان ديمبلي، وكذلك خفيشا كفاراتسخيليا بسبب الإصابة.

وأصيب فيتينها وكفاراتسخيليا خلال مواجهة باريس سان جيرمان ضد أوكسير أمس السبت في بطولة الدوري الفرنسي، لكن الأخير هو فقط الذي لم يتواجد بالقائمة.

اقرأ أيضًا | لويس إنريكي: أشعر بالأسف قبل مواجهة باريس سان جيرمان وبرشلونة

تأتي المباراة بعد فوز عثمان ديمبلي بجائزة الكرة الذهبية الأسبوع الماضي للمرة الأولى في تاريخه بعد موسم مميز قدمه الدولي الفرنسي رفقة فريق العاصمة.

ويدخل باريس سان جيرمان المباراة وهو حامل اللقب لأول مرة في تاريخه بعد التتويج بها الموسم الماضي على حساب إنتر ميلان بخماسية نظيفة، وهي أثقل نتيجة نهائي في تاريخ البطولة. قائمة باريس سان جيرمان لمباراة برشلونة في دوري أبطال أوروبا

شيفالييه، أشرف حكيمي، بيرالدو، زابرنى، فابيان رويز، جونزالو راموس، فيتينيا، لى كانج-إن، لوكاس هيرنانديز، مايلولو، نونو مينديز، باركولا، زائير إيمرى، سافونوف، جانجيل، نديانتو، مباى، باتشو، جواو نيفيز، وريناتو مارين.

⚔️ Le groupe parisien retenu pour disputer la 2e journée de la phase de ligue de @ChampionsLeague 👊#FCBPSG I #UCL pic.twitter.com/PZXKUZVA6q — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) September 30, 2025

Australia fielding an unchanged frontline pace attack last summer might have been an “outlier” as selectors strategise over their seam options in the wake of losing allrounder Cameron Green.Emphasising their remarkable durability, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have played in Australia’s last nine Tests stretching back to the Ashes tour.Related

• Cricket Australia looks to unify approach to managing quicks

• Marsh ready to bowl as much as Cummins needs him against India

• Pant and Bumrah hold the key to India's fortunes in Australia

• Green out for the season as he takes surgery option

• Cummins to prepare for Test summer in Pakistan ODIs, Marsh and Head on paternity leave

Last summer they were aided by bowler-friendly conditions at home and in New Zealand where none of the seven matches went into a fifth day. In only three of the innings did Australia need to bowl more than 78 overs which helped them keep fresh.But India’s imposing batting line-up represents a different challenge with the expectation that Australia will be made to toil in the upcoming five-match series played over seven weeks. There are doubts over whether Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood can replicate what they did last season and play the entirety of what should be a gruelling series.Australia’s pace depth has been tested with several fringe bowlers working their way back from injuries. Quick Lance Morris, uncapped at Test level but a regular squad member over the last couple of years, suffered an injury setback having picked up a quad strain in training recently but should return before the end of the month.Scott Boland and Michael Neser, who had a five-wicket haul for Queensland against Western Australia to start the Sheffield Shield season, have overcome off-season niggles and will be part of Australia A’s upcoming red-ball series against India A.”If you look at the quicks last year we were certainly prepared that they might not be able to play all the Tests and they did,” George Bailey, Australia chair of selectors, said on Monday.”Potentially that might have been an outlier and again this summer we’ll be prepared that if we do need to make some adjustments throughout the summer that we are ready to go.”The triumvirate’s workload could increase with Green sidelined for the entire summer due to a stress fracture of his back. Green’s bowling has been cautiously utilised in his Test career, but he was set to play a bigger role with the ball against India.”Someone like Cam basically started in Shield cricket as a bowler but hasn’t had to bowl heaps in Test matches. Now he is a few years older, I think we will be leaning on him a bit more,” Cummins said in August.1:08

Can India risk taking Shami to Aus if he misses the NZ Tests?

Mitchell Marsh might be required to help cover Green’s absence, but has bowled just four overs – all of which were in the fourth ODI against England at Lord’s – since tearing his hamstring during the IPL. He blasted 94 at No. 4 for WA in their second innings against Queensland, but did not bowl in the match as he mostly fielded in the slips and occasionally helped carry the drinks.If selectors decide on a like-for-like replacement then Aaron Hardie and Beau Webster will be in the frame. Hardie did not play in the opening Shield round due to a quad injury he picked up at the end of the England tour, but he is set to return for WA’s next match against Tasmania at the WACA starting on October 20.Bailey believed having an allrounder was a “luxury” rather than a necessity. “Even looking at the three quicks that we generally play in Test cricket, they’ve played a lot of Test cricket together where they haven’t had an allrounder as well”, he said.”Think it certainly depends on the personnel that are available. Guess the role that Cam and Mitch have played is that they’ve been able to hold down a spot purely on the back of their batting and think that’s still fundamentally what’s most important in that top six.”Will continue preparing for Mitch Marsh to bowl some overs as well, that’s been part of his management for the last couple of months.”Australia’s hierarchy have carefully managed workloads of the quicks ahead of the India series, with Cummins missing the entire white-ball England tour to give him a break from bowling.Cummins is unlikely to play a Shield game before the India series and will instead prepare by leading Australia in their ODI series against Pakistan. But Hazlewood and Starc are set to play in at least one Shield match before the Pakistan series.”Pat’s obviously had an individual prep, but if you go through the Test team from the end of last year and their build up to the first Test this year, everyone’s slightly nuanced,” Bailey said.”There’s always an eye to the individual as to what their best preparation is for any Test summer. I think the proliferation of franchise cricket means that there are plenty of opportunities and temptations for players to fill gaps.”Pat, Mitch and Josh have been pretty amazing over how they’ve been able to select which franchise tournaments they play. And they always give themselves good breaks when it’s appropriate as well.”