Erik ten Hag could get a Europa League medal! Man Utd to be left with surplus honours if they lift trophy in Bilbao as former boss considered for role in European campaign

Manchester United could honour Erik ten Hag with a Europa League medal should they lift the trophy in Bilbao later this month.

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  • Man Utd could receive surplus Europa League medals
  • Would consider Ten Hag for an honour
  • Dutchman begun campaign in charge
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    United must progress through Thursday's semi-final second leg against Athletic Club, a tie they lead 3-0 after the first leg, to reach the final. If they win that, they would receive 50 medals and could choose to hand them to staff no longer at the club.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Ten Hag was in charge of United at the beginning of their campaign, overseeing three draws in the league stage of the competition before being replaced by Ruben Amorim. The club could choose to recognise his contribution by handing him one of their spares.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Ten Hag could soon be back in management. He has emerged as a "serious candidate" to replace Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

    United's eggs are very much in the Europa League basket on Thursday, before they take on West Ham in a less significant Premier League match on Sunday.

Botafogo treina com novidades em campo antes do duelo contra o Madureira pelo Carioca

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo realizou seu treinamento na manhã desta terça-feira, no Espaço Lonier, e contou com duas novidades importantes em campo. Tratam-se deAdryelson e Gabriel Pires, que estão recuperados e participaram normalmente da atividade comandada por Luís Castro. Com isso, ambos podem retornar à equipe no confronto com o Madureira, nesta quinta, no estádio Luso-Brasileiro, pela quarta rodada do Campeonato Carioca. A informação foi inicialmente divulgada pelo portal ‘ge’.

+ Confira as movimentações do Botafogo no mercado na bola no Vaivém do L!

Antes do triunfo sobre o Volta Redonda, Adryelson apresentou umproblema muscular, mas se mostrou recuperado nesta terça. No entanto, o retorno ainda não é garantido, visto que a comissão técnica não pretende queimar etapas e ter tranquilidade para recolocar os jogadores com problemas físicos à disposição. Nesta quarta, o defensor participará de uma nova atividade para saber se está 100% para enfrentar o Tricolor Suburbano.

RelacionadasBotafogoApós votação da torcida, Botafogo divulga o novo layout do ônibus da equipe para a temporada 2023Botafogo24/01/2023BotafogoMarçal fala sobre primeiro gol no ano e ser capitão do Botafogo: ‘Costumo ajudar meus companheiros’Botafogo24/01/2023BotafogoSegovia é regularizado e pode estrear com a camisa do Botafogo pelo CariocaBotafogo23/01/2023

Gabriel Pires, por sua vez, foi cortado da lista de relacionados diante do Voltaço em virtude de um um quadro de amigdalite, já controlado. O meio-campista não apresenta mais dores e estará na partida desta quinta.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Carioca

Por outro lado, Joel Carli, Jeffinho e Lucas Fernandes ficaram na academia, enquanto o restante do elenco fazia um treino tático no campo do Espaço Lonier. Ambos seguem lesionados e desfalcam a equipe.

+ Segovia é regularizado e pode estrear com a camisa do Botafogo pelo Carioca

Por fim, Gatito Fernández iniciou a transição, porém ainda está longe do retorno oficial. O paraguaio fez atividades leves e ainda não está apto a realizar movimentos bruscos. Para a partida desta quinta, Luís Castro terá à disposição Lucas Perri e Douglas Borges.

Tottenham join Man Utd in monitoring Randal Kolo Muani transfer situation as Juventus talks stall

Tottenham have joined Manchester United in monitoring Randal Kolo Muani’s uncertain future, with Juventus talks dragging on.

Spurs and United keeping tabs on Kolo MuaniJuventus talks ongoing but no agreement yetPSG rejected loan offers with buy clauseFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Kolo Muani’s proposed move from Paris Saint-Germain to Juventus has stalled, with the two clubs failing to agree on the structure of the deal. Juventus want a loan with a buy clause, while PSG prefer a full transfer or a large upfront loan payment. In the meantime, according to , Premier League sides Tottenham, United and Newcastle are closely watching how the situation develops.

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The French striker enjoyed a productive six-month loan spell in Turin, scoring 10 goals and assisting twice. He has publicly stated his desire to stay at Juve, who welcomed him warmly. But Les Parisiens, who spent €90 million (£76m/$97m) including bonuses to sign him from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023, are unwilling to let him go on cheap or delayed terms. He is currently training with PSG’s U21s, clearly no longer in Luis Enrique’s first-team plans, and eager to secure a move away.

WHAT DAMIEN COMOLLI SAID

Juventus general manager Damien Comolli addressed the situation on Thursday, saying: "Kolo Muani wants to come back and play for Juventus, we're working on it."

He added: "We have [Jonathan] David and [Dusan] Vlahovic as strikers, we're not worried. We're talking to PSG, there's no rush."

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

If the Bianconeri fail to meet PSG’s expectations, Premier League clubs could swoop in. Tottenham, in particular, have reignited their interest, despite investing in Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel. United and Newcastle are also keeping tabs. Unless Juventus act soon, Kolo Muani’s next destination might not be Serie A after all.

Lyon reinstated to Ligue 1 after successful appeal as Crystal Palace left sweating on Europa League spot

French side Lyon have successfully appealed their relegation to Ligue 2 and are set to compete in Ligue 1 and the Europa League next season.

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Lyon relegation overturned on appealClub back in Ligue 1 for next seasonDecision is major blow to Crystal PalaceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Lyon were relegated to Ligue 2 in June after racking up massive debts but have won an appeal against their demotion.

The French Football Federation confirmed the decision had been overturned in a statement on Wednesday that read: "The decision of the Federal Appeal Commission of the DNCG, meeting on Thursday, July 9, 2025 at the headquarters of the FFF. Decision: overturns the administrative demotion of the first team to Ligue 2 at the end of the 2024-2025 season, supervision of the payroll and transfer compensation on the proposed 2025-2026 Ligue 1 budget."

AdvertisementAFPWHAT LYON SAID

The club said in a statement: "Olympique Lyonnais welcomes the decision, made today by the DNCG, to keep the Club in Ligue 1. OL thanks the Appeals Committee for recognising the ambition of the new management of the Club, determined to ensure serious management in the future. The new management, supported by the commitment and dedication of our shareholders and lenders, is extremely grateful for all the support received both inside and outside the Club, especially from its supporters, collaborators, players, partners and elected officials. Today's decision is the first step to restore confidence in Olympique Lyonnais. We can now focus our attention on sporting objectives, fully preparing for next season.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The decision will have ramifications outside France and will affect Crystal Palace. The Eagles had been hoping to play in the Europa League after winning the FA Cup last season but Lyon are now expected to keep their place in the competition at Palace's expense. Oliver Glasner's side could then be in breach of Uefa's multi-club ownership rules, in relation to co-owner John Textor's involvement in both clubs, and barred from the tournament.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PALACE AND LYON?

UEFA must now rule on how to proceed and Palace will be sweating on the decision. The Eagles could be demoted to the Europa Conference League and will reportedly opt to take legal action if they are removed from the Europa League.

Scenarios – What NZ, Pakistan and Afghanistan need to do to make the World Cup semi-finals

One spot left, three teams in contention and there’s the complication of rain as well

S Rajesh08-Nov-2023New ZealandNew Zealand’s net run rate of 0.398 is the best among the three teams, but their recent form is the worst: they have lost four on the trot. The last of those defeats came against Pakistan in Bengaluru, the same venue where they will face Sri Lanka on Thursday.Given their superior run rate (NRR), a win will significantly boost their chances of making the semi-finals, as Pakistan and Afghanistan will need victories by massive margins go past on NRR. However, if New Zealand lose, the only way they can qualify is if Pakistan and Afghanistan also lose and stay on eight, in which case New Zealand could sneak through on NRR. That will also mean a team qualifying for the World Cup semi-finals despite losing five out of nine games.There’s also the chance of a washout in Bengaluru, with rain predicted on Thursday. If that happens then New Zealand will finish on nine points, and again, the only way they can make the cut is if Pakistan and Afghanistan lose (assuming their matches aren’t washed out).PakistanPakistan’s NRR is the second-best among the three teams. Hence, if New Zealand lose to Sri Lanka, or if their match is washed out, then a win for Pakistan against England will put them in an extremely strong position to qualify.However, if New Zealand win then Pakistan will not only need to beat England, but also beat them by a handy margin: if, for instance, even if New Zealand win by just one run after scoring 300 in a 50-over game, Pakistan will have to win by 130 to go past their NRR.AfghanistanAfghanistan’s NRR of -0.338 is the worst among the three teams, which means their best bet is to hope that neither New Zealand nor Pakistan win their last game. In that case, any win margin against South Africa will suffice. If New Zealand don’t win their last match and Pakistan beat England by a run, then Afghanistan will have to beat South Africa by 140 runs to go past Pakistan’s NRR. If New Zealand win by a run in a full 50-over game, though, then Afghanistan’s victory margin will need to be 273 runs (assuming first-innings totals of 300). There have been two larger margins of victories in this tournament, but you’ll have to be an extreme optimist to believe that Afghanistan will pull off a win so comprehensive against South Africa.

Leeds seriously looking to sign £25m star after Meslier's Swansea mistake

Leeds United are now seriously interested in signing an “excellent” £25 million ace to replace Illan Meslier should they be promoted to the Premier League, according to a new report.

Farke remains confident Leeds' promotion will be sealed

It looked as though it was going to be another successful weekend for the Whites on Saturday afternoon, as they were closing in on another three points to move them a step closer to promotion. However, a mistake by goalkeeper Meslier was punished not once but twice, as his fumble allowed Harry Darling to equalise at 1-1 and then Zan Vipotnik’s shot in the 96th minute snuck under the Leeds goalkeeper.

It is not the first time that Meslier has cost his side all three points this season, but despite the fact the Whites have only won one of their last five matches, their worst form of this campaign, Daniel Farke remains confident that Leeds will still win promotion to the Premier League.

“We have gone many, many steps, and right now it’s the final step. That’s always the most difficult,” the boss said this weekend.

Farke must ruthlessly axe Leeds star who earns more than Gnonto & Meslier

This Leeds United star’s first team spot is now arguably up for grabs.

By
Kelan Sarson

Mar 31, 2025

“There’s never a guarantee of success, but we have been in this situation before. I know how tricky it sometimes is to lead from the front, but also what is necessary to bring it over the line, and we will try everything to make sure the lads have the best chance to make the final step. If you ask me right now, I’m 100% convinced that next season we will play in the Premier League.”

Leeds looking to replace Meslier with Southampton star Ramsdale

Given Farke is confident that his side will be a top-flight team next season, it may be no surprise to see plans are already being worked on for the summer, and a new goalkeeper seems to be high on the agenda. According to TEAMtalk, Leeds have now placed Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on their transfer shortlist should promotion be sealed.

The report states that the Whites are now seriously looking to sign a new number one this summer, given the mistakes that Meslier has made this season, despite Farke’s public backing of the Frenchman. Meslier’s contract expires in 2026, so Leeds will have a decision to make on his long-term future, and this summer could be the only realistic chance to cash in and upgrade.

However, Leeds are not the only team interested in signing Ramsdale, as AFC Bournemouth are also keeping an eye on things and could make a move once the Saints are relegated.

Newcastle United are also fans of the goalkeeper and could move for him as they eye a long-term replacement for Nick Pope. The also adds that Ramsdale has a relegation clause in his contract, and any club wanting to sign him will have to offer him the guarantee of football, as he wants to compete for the England number one spot.

Aaron Ramsdale’s Premier League record

Apps

174

Goals conceded

262

Clean sheets

40

Leeds’ chances of signing Ramsdale, who cost the Saints £25 million in the summer, do rest on them securing promotion to the Premier League, as the Englishman is looking to remain in the top flight. Despite the fact that Southampton have been terrible in the Premier League this season, Ramsdale has impressed many, with former England goalkeeper Joe Hart labelling his performances as “absolutely excellent”.

Adam Lyth, Finlay Bean pile on the runs for Yorkshire on truncated day

Openers add 154 without loss in 33.3 overs as weather interrupts at New Road

ECB Reporters Network10-Jul-2023Yorkshire 154 for 0 (Lyth 77*, Bean 69*) vs WorcestershireAdam Lyth and Finlay Bean posted Yorkshire’s highest opening stand for six years on a truncated day one of the LV=Insurance County Championship match with Worcestershire at New Road.The duo put on an unbroken 154 in 33.3 overs after being put into bat in what appeared to be helpful conditions for seam bowling.Lyth and Bean cashed in on some wayward bowling and also profited from three dropped catches.It was Yorkshire’s best start to an innings since Shaun Marsh and Tom Kohler-Cadmore put on 162 against Surrey at The Oval in 2017.Rain prevented any play after 2pm for three and a quarter hours and there was just time for 12 runs to be added in 3.1 overs before bad light ended proceedings.Lyth will resume tomorrow on 77 from 108 balls having hit 15 boundaries with Bean 69 not out from 97 deliveriesd with 10 fours.Yorkshire handed a debut to South African international keeper-batter, Ryan Rickelton, who has been signed for three Championship games as a replacement for Shan Masood after his recall by Pakistan.Dom Bess was named in the Tykes squad for this game but has been re-signed for Somerset on a short-term loan.Worcestershire were without skipper Brett D’Oliveira because of the impending birth of his second child but Jack Haynes returned after missing the previous Championship game against Derbyshire with a knee injury.Apart from a couple of early edges, Lyth and Bean scored freely against the Kookaburra ball which is again being trialled in this round of Championship matches.The pair showed plenty of aggressive intent and were also gifted too many ‘four’ balls and the half-century stand came up in only 11.2 overs.But they also received a helping hand from the Worcestershire fielders as a trio of catches were spilled in quick succession.Bean survived a chance to gulley on 28 and then on 41 was put down at first slip off Matthew Waite.Former Yorkshire all-rounder Waite, who signed a three-year contract at New Road last winter, was the pick of the home attack.He suffered more frustration as another opportunity went begging with Lyth on 41 spilled at second slip.To rub salt into his wound, Lyth then cracked the next ball through the covers for four to complete 13,000 first-class runs.Bean was first to his half-century – off 67 balls – when he lofted Joe Leach over gulley for his ninth boundary and Lyth off drove the same bowler for his 10th four to complete a 75 ball fifty.Yorkshire plundered 132 runs off 27 overs in the morning session but after that the elements only allowed two more brief periods of play.

Sheffield Wednesday boosted as "outstanding" hero open to signing new deal

An “outstanding” Sheffield Wednesday player is now reportedly open to the idea of signing a new deal at Hillsborough, in a potential boost for Danny Rohl.

Steel City derby awaits for Sheffield Wednesday

The Owls face one of their biggest matches of the season on Sunday lunchtime, as local rivals Sheffield United make the short trip across town for the Steel City derby.

It is a massive game for both sides, with Rohl’s Wednesday team still pushing to finish in the Championship playoff places this year, currently sitting five points adrift of sixth-place Coventry City. Dropped points on Sunday would, therefore, be a big setback.

For the Blades, it is a huge test, as they look to seal automatic promotion back to the Premier League, with Chris Wilder’s side in second place currently, but only two points ahead of Burnley, highlighting the importance of the weekend clash.

Even when the stakes aren’t as high for both sides, this is a big derby match, but this weekend’s showdown feels like one of the most significant in years. Ahead of the game, some positive Wednesday-related news has emerged regarding the future of one player.

"Outstanding" Sheffield Wednesday ace open to new deal

According to reliable journalist Joe Crann for The Star, Sheffield Wednesday forward Callum Paterson is “very open” to signing a contract extension at Hillsborough, “if the opportunity arises”.

The 30-year-old is out of contract with the Owls at the end of this season, so the club have a big decision to make, in terms of either offering him a new deal or allowing him to leave on a free transfer.

Paterson has almost become something of a cult hero for Wednesday, with his team ethic so strong and his ability to pop up with important goals always catching the eye.

The Scot has now scored 30 goals for the Owls, as well as registering 14 assists – he has netted five times in six Championship starts this season – and Jobi McAnuff has described him as both “outstanding” and “fantastic” in the past.

Paterson signing a new deal at Wednesday should be a no-brainer for the club, with the attacker outlining his worth this season, producing at key moments and putting his experience to good use. He may not be the most aesthetically-pleasing footballer around, but he is a player who gets every ounce out of his ability, always working hard, showing intelligence and popping up in the final third.

At 30, the 17-cap Scotland international is also still far from past his best, so offering him an extension for a couple of years makes sense, allowing him to continue being a handy squad player for Rohl.

Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season

Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.

ByStephan Georgiou Apr 22, 2025

Wednesday’s manager surely appreciates his worth as a player, even if he doesn’t always start, so to see him depart in the summer would be disappointing.

The future of the WACA and Perth's Test cricket challenge

During a Rolling Stones tour of Australia, legendary drummer and noted cricket enthusiast Charlie Watts followed the well-worn trail of many tourists in Perth. He had his photo taken in front of the WACA ground.”He was on the corner outside of the ground taking a photo because he didn’t think he would be allowed in,” chuckled WA Cricket chief executive Christina Matthews in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.The rather amusing anecdote underlines the global reverence of the WACA, the old warhorse entrenched in cricket lore due to its fast and bouncy pitch which has conjured some of the sport’s most visceral images.”The name is our unique selling point of the ground and the thing that makes it world famous,” Matthews said. “The name and what’s happened out in the middle is something that you can’t buy. They’re the things we’ve got to protect.”Related

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  • Australia's Test return to Perth likely to prove a tough sell

During the recent Men’s T20 World Cup, many visitors and international media members trekked the Matagarup Bridge linking the shiny 60,000-seat Optus Stadium to East Perth, where the WACA is located.What they saw was an ageing ground undergoing a major redevelopment with the renowned Prindiville Stand demolished and the grass banks under the iconic scoreboard now resembling a construction site.The WACA is set to transform into a multi-sport community facility, marked by a public swimming pool, playground and café, while boasting 10,000-15,000 seats for events.The project was initially pegged at AU$115 million, but has blown out due to increased construction costs since the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing war in Ukraine.About $32 million is still needed, Matthews says, with the funds hoping to be derived from the Western Australian government’s budget, which will be handed down in May.If all goes to plan, the redevelopment will be completed by the backend of 2025 – one year after the initial timeframe.On the field, Western Australia is having remarkable success•Getty Images

“I’m pretty confident we’ll get there. If we don’t, we just have to review it,” Matthews said. “It would be a genuine community destination that happens to have as its foundation first-class cricket.”Even though parts of the ground are an eyesore, the WACA has continued to host men’s and women’s domestic cricket while several matches of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup were played there.But men’s international cricket and the Big Bash League have not been held at the WACA since 2017-18 and there has been uncertainty over whether Test cricket will return to the venue.Matthews confirmed that higher-profile Tests involving England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and possibly Pakistan would likely be permanently fixtured at Optus Stadium with others set for the redeveloped WACA.But carving out a perennial date in the calendar has proven difficult for Perth with Tests since 1997 having been played in every month from October-February.It’s in contrast to the other major cities which have built a tradition around their Tests to create consistency and become a drawcard for fans.”There are three Tests that have significant stakes in the ground; Sydney has New Year and the Jane McGrath day, Melbourne has Boxing Day and Adelaide is the first-choice day-night match,” Matthews said. “Brisbane and us kind of just float…although Brisbane often starts the Test summer.”We want a bit more security around our Test. Is there something we can do so the people of Perth know they are going to something more than just a cricket match? What does our Test stand for?”Matthews believed mid-December was the optimal time for a Perth Test match with WA Cricket pushing to host Pakistan next summer during that slot.”We strongly believe that having the Test match before Christmas is ideal for us,” she said. “Given the route [to Perth] from England and other places…and then off to the east coast for Boxing Day and New Year [Tests], it’s practical.”Then people will have an understanding that ‘okay, this is when your Test is on…somewhere in December before Boxing Day’.”Just a tick over 40,000 fans attended the first Test at Optus Stadium between Australia and West Indies played in late November-early December.Attendances were disappointing for last November’s West Indies Test•AFP

The underwhelming turnout for Perth’s first Test match since 2019 was due to a myriad of reasons, including what appeared a lack of marketing ahead of the summer’s opening Test.”Other than our membership base, we have nothing to do with the Test other than when they [Cricket Australia] ask us for assistance in rolling something out,” Matthews said.”We believe that if we can be given more freedom to run the Test, we could probably get a better result for Cricket Australia. That’s not to mean we go rogue, but it becomes embedded in our planning process.”Every year there’s a national marketing campaign, and it’s very generic. We think there needs to be something specific for Perth to talk about why people should come to international cricket.”Matthews missed the Test match amid a month’s leave after a taxing period, which included a spate of board resignations and unrest emanating from several WA legends.The findings from an external inquiry into the resignations, which included former Test players Graeme Wood and Mike Veletta, will be handed to the board soon.Tensions also erupted last year over a proposal to erect statues of legendary quick Dennis Lillee, women’s trailblazer Zoe Goss and a 19th century team of Aboriginal cricketers.”There’s no doubt that, if you want to call it an old guard, [they] probably want things done differently. The question is – what do they want differently and how do they want it done?” Matthews said. “I can’t think of any area that we’re not excelling in. We still had a 90% retention rate in members this year. So that tells you people are on board, not against what we’re doing.”There’s no doubt that the ruckus of the past six months has come from the older demographic. But it’s not the majority view.”Matthews, who played 20 Tests and 47 ODIs from 1984-95, wanted to attract more females to WA Cricket’s membership base.”We have a low percentage of female members because of the model of buying a membership and a guest card,” she said. “Historically, men bought memberships and the guest pass was for ladies.”I think that’s a challenge for us as to how we get more women to commit to being a member, not a guest of a member. We want everybody to come to the cricket, not just traditionalists.”Matthews hoped to continue defying her critics in a role she has held for more than a decade.”It would be negligent of me to move on while we’re still trying to embed the development,” she said. “We’re trying to maintain this ground as a really important part of the WACA’s history and have it seen across the world as a modern facility.”

Starc ruled out of first India Test, Australia select four spinners in 18-member squad

Mitchell Starc has been officially ruled out of the first Test against India in Nagpur but has still been named Australia’s 18-member touring squad for the four-Test series on Wednesday which features four spin options including uncapped Victoria offspinner Todd Murphy.Starc suffered a finger tendon injury during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa and was ruled out of the third and final Test of the series in Sydney.Australia’s selectors confirmed on Wednesday he would not be available for the first Test in Nagpur starting on February 9. Starc won’t join the squad until the lead-up to the second Test in Delhi. Cameron Green, who is recovering from a broken finger, will travel with the squad ahead of the first Test.Todd Murphy has impressed for Victoria•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

As predicted, the selectors have named four spinners including Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and Murphy.Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb have been included as the back-up batters with Marcus Harris missing out on selection for the tour. There is no back-up wicketkeeper named in the squad meaning that Handscomb will be the only option to keep at short notice if Alex Carey picks up an injury.Chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed that they thought long and hard about taking Josh Inglis on tour but opted to allow him to remain at home to play Sheffield Shield.”We put a lot of thought into that,” Bailey said. “Josh is absolutely still our backup or number two wicketkeeper. But we’re also conscious that he has been on a number of tours and hasn’t actually been able to play a great deal of cricket. We know having Pete Handscomb on tour if something really short-term happens that he could jump in for a day but given the ease that we can get Josh on a plane and over to India if he needs to take over from Kez [Carey] for a Test match, we’ve prioritized that so he’ll get a couple of short games in at home.”Lance Morris has been retained in the squad and could come into contention to play in the first Test if Australia wanted extra ball speed in Nagpur while Starc is absent. Scott Boland has also retained his place in the squad as a back-up seamer after losing his place in Australia’s XI for the final Test against South Africa.Bailey said the four spinners give the squad flexibility in terms of potential partners for Lyon.”Ashton Agar continues to impress following his comeback in Sydney and we believe left-arm finger spin will play an important role in Indian conditions,” Bailey said.Related

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“Mitchell Swepson has recent Test experience in the sub-continent and offers leg-spinning variety.”Todd Murphy has progressed quickly having impressed in domestic cricket and recently with Australia A. With those performances Todd has emerged as a strong spin option.”Selection in this squad also provides another opportunity to spend time alongside Nathan Lyon and assistant coach Daniel Vettori in India which will be invaluable to his development.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Handscomb’s inclusion comes after he was called up to Australia’s squad during the Sydney Test as cover after Harris was sent back to the BBL. Both Handscomb and Renshaw played all four Tests on Australia’s last tour of India in 2017. Renshaw made two half-centuries while Handscomb made a match-saving 200-ball 72 not out in Ranchi. He has also been the leading runscorer in Sheffield Shield cricket in the past two seasons.”Peter Handscomb deserves his place back in the squad,” Bailey said. “His domestic form has been strong recently and Pete has proven he can perform at Test level.”His experience against spin on the subcontinent is valuable and he is also an exceptionally good close to the wicket catcher.”Handscomb did cop a blow on the hip bone while batting in a Victoria T20 Super Slam game for premier club St Kilda on Tuesday night. He did retire hurt but it is believed that the injury is minor and he will be fine to tour India.”Pete’s got a scan tomorrow morning, I believe to check on that,” Bailey said. “He’s quite confident it’s nothing too serious.”He just caught copped a ball on the back hip and then three balls later, I think he just hit one and just felt something gave a little bit in there. So I don’t really have any more information than that. We’ll get the scan tomorrow. Clearly, there’s still quite a bit of time between now and when we depart and then even when the first Test is so we’ll work through that as we get more information.”Bailey also stated that the selectors will review the squad after the second Test and could make additions given there is a seven-day break between the second Test in Delhi and the third Test in Dharamshala.

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