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O São Paulo venceu o Botafogo por 3 a 1 neste domingo (5), selou sua liderança no Grupo B e garantiu a vantagem de ser o mandante nas quartas de final do Campeonato Paulista ante o Água Santa. Tudo isso seria o assunto prioritário se não tivesse explodido na última semana o caso Pedrinho, afastado do clube após ser acusado de agredir a ex-namorada.

Ainda nos vestiários do estádio Santa Cruz, em Ribeirão Preto (SP), o comandante são-paulino não teve como fugir do assunto policial envolvendo o seu jogador. E mostrou que concorda com a postura adotada pelo clube no episódio.

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+ATUAÇÕES: Luan faz golaço, e Welington é grande destaque em vitória essencial do São Paulo

– O caso vai ter o seu desenrola nos próximos dias e o clube, como entidade, fez o que deveria ser feito para preservar as coisas. Ninguém é culpado sem julgar.

Ceni só não quis responder sobre a informação vazada de que foi jogada em suas mãos a decisão de utilizar ou não o jogador, que treinou normalmente no dia seguinte à divulgação do caso.

– Adecisão foi tomada com a direção em conjunto com o Pedrinho. E a nota de esclarecimento do São Paulo esclarece tudo. Todos nós concordamos que ninguém aceita agressões, seja ela de que lado for, na vida como um todo, no campo de jogo… O respeito é mais importante.

Após as acusações da ex-namorada de agressão e ameaça, Pedrinho pediu para ser afastado do São Paulo. O anúncio foi feito por meio de suas redes sociais. E não pelo clube.

O caso veio à tona na última quarta-feira (1). A denúncia foi feita pela ex-companheira do atacante, uma influenciadora digital de 20 anos. O caso será investigado pela 4ª Delegacia de Defesa da Mulher, da Zona Norte paulistana, onde a ocorrência foi registrada como violência doméstica, ameaça, injúria e lesão corporal.

Segundo a polícia, a vítima ‘apresentava sinais de lesões, que foram fotografadas e anexadas ao inquérito policial. Além disso, ela representou criminalmente contra o autor.

Nestes dois dias após a acusação, a diretoria do Tricolor paulista organizou uma série de reuniões para discutir o futuro de Pedrinho. O jogador não havia se manifestado até a noite desta sexta-feira (3), quando em nota disse que pediu seu afastamento temporário das atividades para ‘colaborar com o trabalho das autoridades’.

– Em respeito ao São Paulo Futebol Clube e aos milhões de torcedores e torcedoras, gostaria de informar que, na tarde desta sexta-feira, alinhado com a diretoria do clube, pedi o meu afastamento temporário das atividades. Tomei essa decisão para priorizar e colaborar, de forma exclusiva, com o trabalho das autoridades para esclarecer, o mais rápido possível, todas as acusações registradas ao meu respeito para que em breve possa retomar a minha carreira. Aproveito para agradecer à minha família e à minha empresária, Roberta, que estão me apoiando de maneira incondicional – destacou.

A Polícia Civil paulista vai colher em breve o depoimento do meia-atacante. Ao LANCE!, autoridades ouvidas apontam que a defesa do jogador o colocou a total disposição das investigações sobre as acusações feitas de que teria agredido a sua ex-namorada. Ao L!, investigadores também contaram que o jogador teria marcas e ferimentos pelo corpo, o que caracterizaria que foi atacado.

Ainda na noite de quarta-feira (1), o São Paulo divulgou nota onde afirmava que acompanhará o caso ‘com máxima atenção’ e ‘que tomaria as medidas cabíveis.’

– O São Paulo tomou conhecimento na noite desta quarta-feira (1º) do Boletim de Ocorrência contra o jogador Pedrinho, registrado por Amanda Nunes, sua ex-namorada. A entidade aguarda e acompanhará com máxima atenção a apuração da polícia e dos demais ´órgãos competentes. O Clube jamais compactuará ou aceitará qualquer tipo de agressão contra a mulher e, com o caso devidamente apurado, tomará todas as medidas cabíveis que se fizerem necessárias – diz o texto divulgado pelo Tricolor.

+Mata-mata definido: veja os classificados, rebaixados e os confrontos das quartas do Paulistão

The Brazilian striker has been linked with West Ham and Wolves, among others, as he continues to thrive in his homeland

Yuri Alberto is only 24 years old, but he has already been through so much in football that fans often mistakenly believe that Corinthians' current hero is older than he actually is. His combination of youth and  proven goal-scoring ability, though, makes him a No.9 who is on the radar of a host of European clubs.

The forward has frequently been linked to clubs in the Premier League as well as the likes of Roma and Atletico Madrid. Making such a move would be the natural path for someone who has stood out for his skills and goal-scoring record since he was a little boy, but whose transition to professional football turned out to be much more difficult than anticipated.

Perhaps this irregularity that marked his early years explains why Yuri Alberto remains a hidden gem, but there is no doubt that he is both young and good enough to become a global star:

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  Where it all began

  Born in Sao Jose dos Campos, in the countryside of Sao Paulo, Yuri Alberto fell in love with football from an early age. His father, Carlos Alberto, was his greatest role model, and Yuri often watched him in action in amateur matches. The family patriarch was also his first coach, insisting that young right-footed Yuri train to finish with his left foot as well.

  That ability to score with both feet, combined with remarkable body awareness, meant that Yuri had the potential to make his dream of becoming a professional footballer come true, and it’s fair to say that he found one of the best schools in the world to hone his talent at Santos.

  He arrived at Vila Belmiro in 2013, the same year that Neymar left for Barcelona. He moved with his mother and sisters to the Baixada Santista, closer to the club’s facilities, while his father juggled jobs to help fund his son’s dream. At the Peixe’s youth academy – where he played alongside Real Madrid's Rodrygo – Yuri impressed with his goals and even caught the attention of Arsenal and Manchester United, but turning his talent into consistent performances at the professional level would prove far more challenging.

  Promoted to the first team in 2017 while just 16 years old, the goals Yuri scored so easily in the academy didn’t emerge in the professional ranks, and with opportunities dwindling and the club going through instability amid managerial changes, he endured a yo-yo existence between youth and senior football. As his contract neared its end, it became clear a change was inevitable.

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  The big break

  Frustrated by limited chances under coach Jesualdo Ferreira and during renewal negotiations, Yuri Alberto decided to move to Internacional in 2020. The departure didn’t sit well with Santos fans, who made him one of their primary targets for criticism.

  Yet it’s undeniable that Yuri made the right choice. The 10 goals he scored in the pandemic-hit Brasileirao campaign took Internacional to within inches of their first league title since 1979. He followed that up in 2021 by finding the net 19 times across all competitions, and though that wasn’t enough to bring silverware to the Gauchos, it did convince Zenit St. Petersburg to spend €25 million on the young striker.

  Yuri's stint in Russian football, his first and only experience in Europe so far, was brief: 15 matches, six goals, and three assists. The outbreak of the war between Russia and Ukraine accelerated his desire to return to Brazil, where he would also have greater visibility to help achieve his dream of playing for the national team. That led to a move to Corinthians in 2022 – first on loan, and later on a permanent deal.

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  How it's going

  Since joining Corinthians, Yuri has scored 70 goals and cemented his name in history as the club’s top scorer since the turn of the century. The 2025 Paulista title, secured by beating local rivals Palmeiras, only strengthened his bond with the fans, and he has now well establish as a Corinthians idol.

  But things haven't always run smoothly for Yuri since his return to South America. His first two years at the Timao were marked by ups and downs as the striker faced heavy criticism while the club battled against relegation in both 2022 and 2023. By 2024, Yuri had “reached his limit” and even considered leaving the club.

  “I was very convinced that I wanted to leave. I couldn’t take it anymore. We were going to make a lot of effort to try to leave. I was at my limit,” he admitted in an interview on the YouTube channel. The turning point came with the arrival of coach Ramon Diaz, under whom Yuri scored 31 goals and finished as the top scorer in Brazilian football that season.

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  Biggest strengths

  Now in 2025, under the command of ex-Brazil boss Dorival Junior, Yuri remains Corinthians’ main attacking reference. Primarily right-footed but equally competent with his left and in aerial duels, Yuri is most dangerous inside the box but also contributes to the build-up when needed. His bursts of speed in counter-attacks and his relentless work rate make him one of the most complete forwards in Brazilian football today.

MatériaMais Notícias

Autor do terceiro gol do Botafogo na vitória em cima da Portuguesa por 3 a 1 na semifinal da Taça Rio, Raí vem sendo utilizado por Luís Castro e tem ganhado casca no time principal. O meia revelou que está mais maduro dentro de campo, agradeceu aos seus companheiros de elenco e se declarou ao clube alvinegro.

– Estou num momento em que me vejo um pouco mais maduro do que antes. Estou aprendendo muito com jogadores como Tiquinho, que me ensina bastante, e Eduardo, que quando saio do treino fico observando ele. Estou muito feliz pelo momento que estou vivendo. Quero agradecer também ao treinador (Luís Castro) pela oportunidade e pela confiança – declarou Raí para “Botafogo TV”:

+Fluminense encaminha acerto com volante do Grêmio, colombiano é oferecido ao Botafogo… O Dia do Mercado!

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+Luis Henrique celebra sequência no Botafogo, fala da relação com Luís Castro e revela grande sonho no clube

– O Botafogo é muito importante na minha vida. Minha última oportunidade de jogar futebol era aqui, porque eu não queria mais jogar. Foi minha última chance. Eu consegui passar e permaneço aqui desde os meus 12 anos. Não sei como explicar. O Botafogo é tudo para mim – completou.

+Atacante do América do México é oferecido ao Botafogo; entenda

O Glorioso entra em campo no próximo domingo, diante do Audax, às 18h, no Raulino de Oliveira, pelo jogo de ida da final da Taça Rio. O título da competição vale uma vaga para Copa do Brasil de 2024.

Bayern Munich sealed Nicolas Jackson on loan with a €65 million clause, but ex-striker Patrick Helmes warns the Chelsea man is “no Harry Kane”.

Bayern seal loan deal with €65m clauseHelmes brands Jackson 'no Harry Kane'German club warned of 'overpriced' signingFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Bayern have completed the deadline-day signing of Senegal international Jackson on a season-long loan from Chelsea, with the deal that includes a conditional purchase obligation worth €65m (£54m/$71m). After an on-off saga, in which Chelsea initially recalled the Senegal striker following Liam Delap’s injury, Bayern finally struck an agreement. The 24-year-old arrives in Munich to provide depth behind Kane and will wear the No.11 shirt.

However, former Bayer Leverkusen striker Helmes has issued a "brutal" warning, claiming Jackson is not of Kane's calibre and stated that the Chelsea forward is "overpriced."AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT PATRICK HELMES SAID

Former Germany international Helmes delivered a stinging assessment of the transfer: “Brutal figures,” Helmes told . “€16.5 million is incredible for a loan deal. Add to that the €65 million if he makes certain appearances. In total, we’re looking at the [Nick] Woltemade deal. That’s completely overpriced. He’s no Harry Kane.”

While acknowledging Jackson’s flashes of quality in the Premier League, Helmes was clear: “For me, he’s still just a backup for Kane, nothing more, nothing less.”

Helmes also doubts that the forward will impress enough to trigger a permanent transfer, adding that "the purchase will not happen".

THE BIGGER PICTURE

For Bayern, the move represents both ambition and risk, as Jackson has shown flashes of quality since joining Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023, scoring 30 goals in 81 matches, but he has also been criticised for wasteful finishing and inconsistency. With Bayern heavily reliant on Kane, Jackson’s arrival gives boss Vincent Kompany an alternative option and tactical flexibility, particularly in a season where domestic dominance must be balanced with a deep Champions League run. Financially, however, critics including Helmes argue the structure of the deal is inflated, with over €80m (£66m/$87m) potentially committed for a player yet to prove himself at elite level.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

Jackson is expected to make his debut after the international break, when Bayern face Hamburg on September 13. The key question will be whether he can adapt quickly to the Bundesliga and provide meaningful cover for Kane, or if Helmes’ warning proves prophetic. 

The Inter Miami star admitted he struggles to enjoy playing when he doesn’t feel physically at his best

Scored twice in 3-0 win over VenezuelaArgentina remain leaders of the qualifiersDid not confirm whether he’ll play at the 2026 World CupGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Lionel Messi has cast doubt over his participation in the 2026 World Cup, set to be staged across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Following Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela in Buenos Aires – his last qualifying match on home soil – e captain avoided giving a clear answer on whether he will defend the crown he lifted in Qatar 2022.

“As I’ve said before, I don’t think I’ll play another World Cup… At my age, it’s only logical to think I might not,” Messi told after the match.

Messi acknowledged his participation in the 2026 World Cup will come down to his fitness.

“Day by day, I try to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it. But when I don’t, honestly, I don’t enjoy it – and if that’s the case, I’d rather not be there. So we’ll see," he explained. "I haven’t made a decision yet about the World Cup. Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then have preseason, and in six months, I’ll see how I feel. Hopefully I can finish this MLS season strong, have a good preseason in 2026, and then make a decision.”

Messi also reflected on the emotional farewell he experienced in Buenos Aires: 

“To be able to finish this way here is what I always dreamed of – finishing with my people. For many years, I had Barcelona’s affection, and my dream was to have it here in my country as well," he said. "A lot was said over the years, but I’ll keep the good moments we built with a group that tried but couldn’t win it all, until it finally happened for me and a few from my generation. Everything we lived through was beautiful.”

AdvertisementAFPWHAT LAUTARO MARTÍNEZ SAID

Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez admitted there were plenty of emotions on the pitch on Thursday.

“It was an emotional night, one to remember, a night that will stay with us forever because of who Leo is – not just as a player, but as a person, as a leader, and for the lessons he gives us every day,” he said.

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

With his brace, Messi extended his record tally to 114 goals for Argentina. 

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA NATIONAL TEAM?

, who remain leaders in the South American qualifiers with 38 points, will close out their campaign on Tuesday with an away trip to Ecuador.

Spain captain Alvaro Morata opens up his joy at being with the national team after experiencing the 'deepest depression' and considering retirement.

• Morata openly discussed his past struggles
• Captain reaffirmed commitment to the national team
• Says national team role is a "wonderful thing"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Morata spoke candidly about the difficult moments in his career that made him question his future in football before joining the national team in the World Cup qualifiers this year. The ex-Real Madrid player had contemplated leaving the national team after missing the decisive penalty in the Nations League final against Portugal this year, but claims his love for representing Spain always pulled him back. This admission comes at a time when Morata’s role in the national team has changed, with him appearing as a substitute and playing fewer minutes in key games. Far from complaining, Morata has praised the team's collective spirit and pointed to a new, humble approach to his role.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The striker has been an outspoken advocate on this topic of mental health in the past, having received death threats on social media following missed chances during Euro 2020. The 32-year-old is embracing his reduction in playing time under coach Luis de la Fuente, saying he would be willing to carry the equipment if it means being around La Roja.

• WHAT MORATA SAID

  "When I thought about it, they were difficult times that make you weigh things down because of the sadness and the deepest depression you can possibly experience. But for us, the most wonderful thing is being on the national team," he told reporters. "Maybe you think about some things and then you get home and your wife tells you how you're going to leave because it's what I enjoy most in life. All I want is to represent my country as best I can and for Spain to win as many matches and competitions as possible."

  He added: "The best thing we have is that we're a great team. It's not typical to say we're more than a team. Here in the national team, throughout my career, I've had great players who haven't played. I've been with David Silva or Cesc [Fabregas] and I've never seen a bad face. They're examples. Being here is a blessing, and we have to enjoy it."

  Morata ended the interaction on a funny yet motivating note as he said: "I'm really looking forward to starting a qualifying phase, which is never easy. From the outside, it seems easier than actually being in a World Cup. We have several examples of teams that were European Championship champions like us and then didn't play in a World Cup. We're going all out, super focused, knowing the difficulty of the group we're in. And personally, I'm happy. You always have to come if they call you, even to carry your equipment."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SPAIN?

  Spain will be facing Bulgaria and Turkey in World Cup qualification matches on September 5 and September 8. Morata will hope to get a start but should he not his leadership skills will definitely be useful for the younger squad to clinch results.

MatériaMais Notícias

A sexta-feira da Paixão (7) foi de muito trabalho para o Fluminense. Na reapresentação após a vitória por 3 a 1 sobre o Sporting Cristal (PER) em sua estreia na Copa Libertadores, o grupo comandado por Fernando Diniz treinou pela manhã no CT Carlos Castilho. O objetivo é conseguir uma goleada sobre o Flamengo e levar o troféu na final do Campeonato Carioca, domingo (9).

Após a equipe ter desembarcado no Rio na noite anterior, todos os jogadores foram a campo para fazer atividades. Nas imagens divulgadas pela assessoria do clube, há destaques para o lateral-esquerdo Marcelo, o meio-campista André e o camisa 10, Ganso.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasColunasCAMPO NEUTRO: O Fla-Flu e o nadaColunas07/04/2023Fora de CampoEsposa de dono de bar contesta suposto motivo de assassinato de torcedor do FluminenseFora de Campo07/04/2023FluminenseMeia da campanha do Carioca de 1995 deposita fichas em superação do Fluminense na final com o FlamengoFluminense06/04/2023

O Melhor Volante do Brasil.

Foco total na decisão! pic.twitter.com/v2gRJUJ22m

— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) April 7, 2023

Outro jogador em evidência é Vitor Mendes. O defensor entrou em campo no decorrer da partida válida pela Libertadores e marcou um dos gols da vitória sobre o Sporting Cristal.

Amanhã tem mais no CT Carlos Castilho! Vamos, Fluzão!

📸: Marcelo Gonçalves/FFC pic.twitter.com/hyVO7oT2yv

— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) April 7, 2023

Ele é uma das alternativas que Diniz tem ao seu dispor para o setor defensivo do Fluminense no Fla-Flu decisivo. David Braz sentiu um problema na coxa esquerda no meio de semana e foi retirado preventivamente da lista que ia enfrentar a equipe peruana.

continua após a publicidade

Ex-Premier League star Gerard Deulofeu has revealed the shocking extent of his injury battle, revealing that his knee issue is so bad it is "closer to a permanent disability". The former Watford and Everton star has not kicked a ball since January of 2023, when he was playing for Udinese; he is being supported by the Serie A club as he continues his recovery.

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  Deulofeu's injury hell

  Deulofeu has been battling the effects of an ACL injury since November of 2022, but has sustained multiple setbacks as he bids to find a way back onto the pitch. He sustained the injury while playing for Udinese in Serie A, and during his recovery, he had to deal with infected cartilage, and he has now admitted that he is praying for a "miracle" to allow him to play again. Udinese did announce the mutual termination of the Spaniard's contract in January but he swiftly confirmed that if he does come back, he will do so playing for the club. 

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• A constant battle

  Deulofeu has lifted the lid on just how bad his knee injury has been, as he hopes he can regenerate the cartilage to be able to play again. 

  He told Flashscore: "[It] is more than an injury, it's something closer to a permanent disability, to having a prosthesis in the knee. 

  "Not being able to take a step because bone collides with bone is much more serious. I'm fighting against biology and also against this one (his head).

  "I've been going for two and a half years. I'm lucky that my team, my president and my colleagues at Udinese are with me.

  "Luckily, I can train every day. It gives me a lot of strength to have the motivation to be able to train in my stadium every day…

  "The repercussion is that you can't train as you should, you lose muscle. Add to that adhesions to the kneecap and the aggressions to the knee."

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  Fighting for his children

  The former Everton, Watford and Barcelona star has revealed he has a dream that his children will be able to see him pull on the black and white shirt, and he is using them as his motivation. 

  He added: "It's going to be very difficult, but I want to make history. I think I can be the player who has been out for the longest time who has been able to come back. That would be a magnificent and beautiful record for me.

  "And to do it for my family and for my children. They were born knowing that I am a player, and now that they are a bit older, they are asking me to come back, and that breaks my heart."

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• A positive update?

  There does appear to be a glimmer of hope for Deulofeu moving forwards, as he explained: "There is healing in the cartilage area because without that, with the bone-on-bone collision, it would be impossible to come back.

  "But all that cartilage is healing, and now we have to clean the area and build more muscle so I can feel better and train morning and evening.

  "Before, I used to work out one day and had to stop for two. Now, the knee is reacting well, and although I see it as a long way off, it's a good indicator…

  "There are days and days, and you have to have a lot of patience, to be at home with your family to balance your mind emotionally.

  "I can't count the number of times I've thought about quitting… but you know, I also have a team behind me, experts in psychoneuroimmunology that I rely on.

  "And these experiences have made me stone cold. It's going to be very difficult for me to give up or be thrown away. Mine is a miracle, and I'm going to try until the last moment."

After years of either wilful or inadvertent ignorance, Australia have recognised the need for a change in attitude for the benefit of their most influential stakeholders: their fans

Daniel Brettig in Johannesburg03-Apr-2018In his famous 1992 Redfern speech, Australia’s then Prime Minister Paul Keating spoke of how to mend years of misdeeds against the nation’s indigenous population. Mulling over where to start, he offered the words that “the starting point might be to recognise that the problem starts with us”, and healing “begins, I think, with that act of recognition”.Outright awful though Australia were on the final day of the series at the Wanderers, wickets tumbling as Vernon Philander toyed with heavy legs, tired eyes and addled brains, the acts of recognition were plain to see. First, a guard of honour for Morne Morkel on his final day as a Test cricketer. Later, a bevy of handshakes and the promise of shared post-series drinks in the South African dressing room. Lastly, further eloquent words from the new captain Tim Paine, which echoed Keating in terms of recognising the need for a change in attitude and behaviour after years of either wilful or inadvertent ignorance.”Well, the first thing is we have to, I suppose, listen,” Paine said when asked how his team might reconnect with Australia. “We’ve potentially maybe had our head in the sand a little bit over the last 12 months, [thinking] if we continue to win we can kind of act and behave how we like and the Australian public will be okay with that.”What we’ve probably found out in the past month or so is that the Australian public and our fans don’t necessarily like the way we go about it. It’s pretty simple. We have to listen. We have to take it on board and we have to improve our behaviour in the way we play the game. I know the guys are certainly on board and it’s something that we’re excited again to go forward and be able to do.”

What the Australians will discover, should they listen to South Africa, will not be instructions on how to go about things, but plenty of advice about how Faf du Plessis’ team have built up a culture within the four walls of their dressing room

There was attentiveness, too, in how Paine approached the chance to speak with the victorious South African team, the first side to beat Australia at home since readmission, and in a manner so comprehensive as to inflict the fourth-heaviest defeat, in terms of runs, in all Test history. “We’ve been invited in in the next half an hour actually. It’s an early beer, that’s for sure. It might be a coffee. But we’ll go next door,” Paine said. “We’ve got some young players in our team who will learn a lot from going to have a beer with some of the experienced players that the South Africans have got, so we’d be foolish not to take that opportunity.”What the Australians will discover, should they listen to South Africa, will not be instructions on how to go about things, but plenty of advice about how Faf du Plessis’ team have built up a culture within the four walls of their dressing room that ensures both the image of the team and the conduct of the players are kept in strong health. All this being done without anything like the money, resources or administrative stability that Australia have boasted for years.”Our culture is the same no matter who we play, it’s not about the opposition, it’s about us, and we do spend a lot of time and energy making sure, if you can call it that, training your culture, but to make sure we stay on it from a daily perspective,” du Plessis said. “If there’s stuff that falls out of line, we quickly nip it in the bud because we don’t want to have a cancer effect where it spreads through the team and you start having a few bad things happen within the team, so we are very, very strong on that.”I believe that’s our strength as a team, we’ve spent so much time and energy on that, you ask a lot of players and they will say that this culture in the Protea team is something you have to be a part of to understand how special it is, so we take a lot of pride in it. For it to be almost a 12th man on the field, it’s not always that your skills are going to be there, and you can’t control to score hundreds or take five-fors, but you can control your culture.”We never want to seem arrogant. Obviously sometimes you’ll get things or situations that can look that way, but as a team we deal with it in the same manner, as much as we can we want to be humble at all times. You can see we’ve got two or three of the world’s best players in our team and you would never see them … there are never days when their egos will be any bigger than the team, the team will always come first, no matter what.”Paine, meanwhile, draws a lot from his experience winning Sheffield Shield titles alongside George Bailey, the longtime Tasmania and sometime Australia ODI captain. Tasmania have overachieved for some years relative to the size of their state, partly because they have become a popular destination for aspirational players surplus to requirements in other states. The need to balance all these personalities and backgrounds placed a premium on ensuring players did not feel they had to conform to a narrow expectation of what they and the team must be. As Bailey said of Ed Cowan on the eve of his 2011 Test debut: “That is the most important thing, and the key to his success: he’s just allowed to be Eddie.” Paine said Bailey loomed large among those he had learned from.AFP”George is a very good friend of mine and I’ve played under him for a long time so I’ve certainly learnt a lot about the way he captains and his leadership style,” Paine said. “I certainly take a lot of the way he goes about but there is other guys as well. I’ve always thought about going into coaching or something like that after cricket so I’ve constantly sort of written things down that I’ve liked about coaches and other leaders that I’ve played under. I suppose try to take bits that I like and mould it to something that fits me.The other thing that Australia’s players must listen to, of course, is the sound of edges being flicked and stumps being crashed through. Humility about the team’s attitude and approach to opponents and the cricket watching public must be matched by attentiveness about the technical task of playing to a high standard, now with the additional handicap of losing Steven Smith and David Warner for at least 12 months. Even factoring in the mental fatigue of the tour and its disasters, there was a lot to be troubled by on day five.Particularly, the set-up, foot movement and swing plane of Peter Handscomb left many to wonder what exactly he had been working on over the three or so months since his previous Test match, and with whom. At the same time, Mitchell Marsh has shown evidence of a slow deterioration from the fundamentals he worked on with Scott Meuleman over several months out with injury last year, which had put him in such a strong position to score runs in the Ashes and then the first Test of this series in Durban.With the likes of Paine and Pat Cummins being unable to replicate earlier rearguards, it made for a shudderingly quick finish and another question that the team and their incoming coach must ponder. Darren Lehmann’s tenure as coach was ended with an acute example of the batting collapses that have been more or less his constant companion.”I don’t think it was one day too many, I think it was a few,” Paine said. “There’s been enough spoken about the week we’ve had. We’re disappointed with the way we handled it. This group in here had the chance to show some real fight and determination and unfortunately we weren’t able to because I think mentally we weren’t quite there. You only have to be slightly off in any game of cricket, let alone a team as good as South Africa, and you get exposed. We certainly were today.”I haven’t spoken to many guys about going home, there certainly hasn’t been that feel, coming into the Test match I thought we were going to be a hell of a lot better than what we were, obviously it had more of an effect on guys than we knew, the opportunity to get home, and reset might be refreshing for the guys in the next couple of days. At the moment, there is a fair bit of disappointment and borderline embarrassment in the dressing rooms.”There cannot have been, in all of Australian cricket history, a more shattering tour, not only resulting in abject defeat on the field but a total destruction of the team’s image and culture. One of the most heedless lines uttered over the past 24 hours was by the selector Mark Waugh, a great batsman and cricketer who has let the substance of the past week pass him by. “I might be missing something,” Waugh said on Sydney radio, “but I don’t see this team as any different as any other team from previous eras.”It took 15 years after Keating’s speech for another Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, to offer a formal apology to indigenous Australians. Waugh’s words offered a reminder that the listening process advocated by Paine will be long and difficult.

Sri Lanka two wickets down after being made to follow-on, but Mendis and Mathews steady

Madushka Balasuriya19-Mar-2023

New Zealand’s bowlers propelled their side to the brink of a 2-0 series whitewash over Sri Lanka, picking up ten wickets on the third day, forcing a follow-on and leaving the visitors still 303 runs behind with eight wickets and two days of cricket still to go.At the crease for the visitors were Kusal Mendis, unbeaten on 50, and Angelo Mathews on 1 – the pair that had so memorably saved a Test at the same ground back in 2018. Back then they had batted out the entirety of the fourth day before rain intervened on the fifth to help secure the draw, and Sri Lanka will certainly be hoping history repeats itself – with rain forecast over the coming days.But even the help of the weather gods might not be enough if Sri Lanka repeat their poor batting display from the third day.While credit must go to New Zealand’s bowlers for sticking to their plans diligently and maximising the conditions on offer, Sri Lanka’s batters were undoubtedly guilty of far too often failing to put a price on their wickets.While the nightwatcher Prabath Jayasuriya received a delivery he was far too ill-equipped to deal with, one that pitched on a length and seamed away taking his edge in the process, Mathews could have no such excuse, edging a similar – but wider – delivery when fending outside off. This left Sri Lanka four down for 34 with barely an hour played in the morning.But that setback would be followed by a solid period of consolidation between Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal, with the Sri Lakna captain, in particular, looking in good touch. He was patient with deliveries outside off, but not averse to punishing any that were overpitched. Together the pair would put on 80 for the fifth wicket, and the hope heading into lunch was that they could continue to make steady progress having already got in.What followed though was Sri Lanka’s most inexcusable period of the entire series, losing their final six wickets for just 55 runs in the period between lunch and tea.Michael Bracewell picked three wickets in the first innings•Getty Images

It was Chandimal that would trigger the capitulation. Having swept Michael Bracewell, who was finding some extra turn and bounce for his offbreaks, for four, Chandimal would charge him just a delivery later only to have the ball turn through bat and pad and offer Tom Blundell a straightforward stumping. A brain fade at the most ill-advised moment.This was followed by Dhananjaya de Silva coming down the track and chipping an easy catch straight to short midwicket – put in place for precisely such a stroke – shortly after.At 116 for 6, this would see Nishan Madushka, the debutant, enter. He would string together a 40-run stand with Karunaratne at the other end, who was continuing unfazed despite the chaos around him. In this period, Madushka even produced some stellar stroke play, especially when driving through the offside. But eventually he too would fall, courtesy of the extra bounce the pitch was more consistently producing, edging through to second slip.After Kasun Rajitha was run out, Karunaratne’s patience would finally wear thin, uncharacteristically looking to beat the man in the deep, and holing out at long-off for a 188-ball 89. Last man Asitha Fernando would not last much longer either, as Sri Lanka were bowled out 164, with Matt Henry and Bracewell taking three wickets apiece.With a 416-run lead, Tim Southee then had little hesitation in enforcing the follow-on, and back out came Karunaratne for his second essay a little over 10 minutes after he had been dismissed.Sri Lanka’s second effort with the bat definitely fared better, but two wickets lost against the run of play may still come to haunt them.Oshada Fernando, who’s had a tour to forget, ended up flicking one off his hips straight to square leg, but the wicket that will hurt the most is that of Karunaratne’s.Having struck at a rate of 47.34 in the first innings, Karunaratne’s second outing ticked along at 61.44, showing a more proactive streak and an inclination to take on the New Zealand bowlers. Alongside a similarly positive Mendis, the pair frequently took on a splattering of short stuff served up by the seamers on an increasingly bouncy track.It would be the relative comfort with which they handle pulling and cutting however that will likely grate Karunaratne as he looks back on his dismissal this evening, as it was an umpteenth short ball that he wound up top edging to deep midwicket. It having come after reaching his second fifty of the day would only have been salt in the wounds.Mercifully for Sri Lanka, they would lose no further wickets, with Mathews especially happy to shut up shop during his 40-ball knock for just a solitary run, but the visitors will know they’ll need to do much better if they’re to survive the next two sessions, let alone the next two days.