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Not much that is new in cricket is left as a challenge for the all-conquering Australians, but a home Test match against Zimbabwe is one of them, and Test cricket’s second-youngest participants arrived in Perth yesterday for their first crack at the world champions on their home soil. Even international cricket’s newest country Bangladesh have played Tests in Australia before Zimbabwe.It is a task as difficult as any the African nation has faced in the game. They arrived in Australia severely depleted and not fully representative of the advances the side has made since they played their first Test, against India, in 1992-93. They have lost wicketkeeper-batsman Andy Flower, who retired from international cricket after the World Cup to pursue a career with South Australia, his brother Grant Flower cruelly suffered a broken finger just before the side left for the tour and one of its more promising bowlers, Henry Olonga, made a political statement at the World Cup, along with Andy Flower, about events in Zimbabwe, and decided to follow a singing career in exile.For a country so ill-equipped in resources, these were body blows and when captain Heath Streak says his side will be aiming to draw their Test matches it is an indication of the reconstruction the side is having to go through. “If we walked away with a draw, I think that would be a huge achievement for Zimbabwe cricket,” Streak said. “If we had the opportunity for a win, then obviously we are going to go for it. But I think it is going to be a huge learning curve for us on this tour.”If we can take some big positives out of this tour, Zimbabwe cricket will be the better for it. Hopefully, we can come back in a couple of years’ time as a more experienced side and one that can maybe play in a three-Test series.”The first Test of the tour is to start in Perth on October 9, the earliest Test in an Australian season but one that is indicative of the greater pressures on all countries to fulfil their obligations under the five-year plan in the International Cricket Council’s Test championship.In their 67-Test history Zimbabwe have won seven Tests, five of them at home but it has been two years since their last victory, and with such a depleted side at the moment the chances of the next being in the two matches with Australia are slim.Coach Geoff Marsh, the former Australian opener, said the emphasis would be on the batsmen in the series. “The key for us is our batting,” he said. “If we can get to 300, we will be competitive given our bowling line-up. But getting to 300 will be the big test.”Zimbabwe’s official opening match is on Wednesday against the Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI at Lilac Hill but since the announcement of the tour itinerary, an unofficial 12-a-side, three-day match starting on Sunday has been arranged against Rockingham Mandurah at Settlers Hill, Baldvis. After the Lilac Hill match Zimbabwe will have a three-day warm-up match against Western Australia, before the first Test. The second Test is in Sydney from October 17-21.The Zimbabwe touring squad is: Heath Streak (captain), Andy Blignaut, Gary Brent, Stuart Carlisle, Dion Ebrahim, Sean Ervine, Craig Evans, Gavin Ewing, Trevor Gripper, Douglas Hondo, Stewart Matsikenyeri, Ray Price, Tatenda Taibu, Mark Vermeulen, Craig Wishart.

All teams competing in the ICC Under-19 World Cup starting in Christchurch on Saturday next week will be spoken to by representatives of the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit.Sixteen teams, from all 10 Test playing nations, as well as Scotland, Canada, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Kenya will take part in the tournament which has its opening ceremony in Christchurch on Monday and its first official game at Bert Sutcliffe Oval when host team New Zealand meets Sri Lanka.New Zealand Cricket’s tournament director Tim Murdoch said today that he is scheduled to have a meeting with the ACU people next week.Teams are spread through Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin during the initial phases of the tournament with the top six playing the latter half of the tournament in Christchurch and the next six playing in Auckland.”We’re fully supportive of them being here and taking the chance to talk to these young players,” Murdoch said.”They are the cream of the future Test prospects from around the world and to speak to them about their obligations to the game, and what they should do if they are ever approached will be good educational value for the players,” he said.

Warren Hegg and Graham Lloyd hit glorious centuries to put Lancashire on thetrack of a 20 points championship win over Somerset at Old Trafford today.But the scent of failure was in the air after Surrey’s demolition ofDurham at the Foster’s Oval.Even if Lancashire go on to beat Somerset tomorrow, they look destined tobe runners-up for the third year on the trot. Theoretically Surrey would needone point from the last match of the summer at Old Trafford next week but,practically, there is no way Lancashire can stop them.Hegg, acting captain, hammered 128, only six short of his career best, andhis first century since 1996. He reached 100 with 13 fours off 171 balls.Lloyd, who has struggled for top form, also claimed his first hundred ofthe campaign, and it was a thrilling performance with 100 runs before lunch.He finished on 126, and there was a six and 19 fours in his century whichcame off 132 balls.They linked up with Lancashire at 160-5 and piled on 152 before Lloyd wasadjudged lbw, perhaps a little unluckily, to a delivery from Michael Burns.Hegg kept going, receiving solid support from Glen Chapple and MikeSmethurst, and when he was out, hoisting Adrian Pierson to long-on, hedeclared at 463-9.Somerset, 331 behind, looked daunted by their task and slipped to 63-4 inthe face of some potent seam bowling from Peter Martin, Glen Chapple and MikeSmethurst who nabbed Jamie Cox for the second time in the match.Lancashire are still waiting to see if they will suffer a points penaltyfrom the pitch inspectors. Mike Denness, A C Smith, and Tom Flintoff were atthe ground today and planned to interview head groundsman Peter Marron, thecaptains and umpires before reaching a decision.

Everton are now reportedly targeting a move to finally sign a replacement for Seamus Coleman after their scouts were impressed by a Premier League star.

Everton send scouts to watch Coleman replacement

At 37 years old, Coleman deserves every bit of credit for how he’s still playing his part at Everton. When 2026 arrives, however, the Toffees must move Jake O’Brien back into the heart of their backline and find a permanent solution to their right-back problem. Coleman has been an excellent servant, it would be a transfer failure if The Friedkin Group failed to find a replacement.

With the Republic of Ireland defender set to become a free agent at the end of the season, his farewell is certainly set to be an emotional one. In many ways, it’s almost fitting that David Moyes – who handed Coleman his Everton debut – will get the chance to oversee his final match for the Toffees.

Related Everton eyeing "fantastic" Middlesbrough star who's dropping hints about his future

The Toffees could land a key replacement for James Garner.

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The veteran manager has already been full of praise for his captain this year, telling reporters back in March when it looked as though the right-back was on his way out of the club: “You don’t just keep people for the sake of keeping them because if you did every club would have hundreds of old players there.

“But if we had our way, we would try and keep Seamus around – definitely. Or give him the opportunity to be around but he may have something else on.

So, off the pitch there may still be a role for Coleman. On the pitch, though, the Toffees are seemingly assessing their options. According to Football Insider, Everton are now targeting a move to sign Jayden Bogle to succeed their well-respected captain in 2026 after their scouts were impressed with the Leeds United defender.

"Unbelievable" Bogle would finally replace Coleman

In terms if candidates, Bogle should be among those at the very top of Everton’s list to replace Coleman next summer. The Leeds defender has endured a solid season so far, with the Whites currently on course to achieve Premier League survival, and he could receive a summer switch as a result.

Whether Leeds choose to stand in his way is the big question. Daniel Farke is certainly a fan of the 25-year-old, having told reporters back in February: “He’s an unbelievable lad, unbelievable attitude – in all aspects. He works relentlessly, his defensive behaviour is so crucial, also his offensive behaviour, he’s a top team-mate in the dressing room, a perfect age and home-grown. What more do you want?”

PL stats 25/26

Bogle

O’Brien

Minutes

1,403

1,310

Assists

1

1

Tackles Won

19

13

Ball Recoveries

72

40

Based on this season’s numbers, Bogle would be an upgrade on central defender O’Brien, who has been asked to play the right-back role in place of Coleman so far this season.

Subscribe to our newsletter for Everton transfer insight Want deeper coverage? Our newsletter breaks down Everton’s right-back search – player stats, scout notes and transfer scenarios showing why Jayden Bogle is being linked as Seamus Coleman’s likely successor, alongside wider Premier League transfer analysis. Subscribe Subscribe to our newsletter for Everton transfer insight Want deeper coverage? Our newsletter breaks down Everton’s right-back search – player stats, scout notes and transfer scenarios showing why Jayden Bogle is being linked as Seamus Coleman’s likely successor, alongside wider Premier League transfer analysis.

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If Moyes’ side are to push on, then welcoming a natural option down their right-hand side should be among their top priorities when the summer transfer window arrives.

Kagiso Rabada said it five times but it was difficult to believe the mood in the South African camp was “positive,” as they prepared for the final Test against England at SuperSport Park.Before the session had officially started, the players milled about in the middle, some tossing balls to each other, others shadow-boxing, but with little of the intensity that usually accompanies the start of a Test-match week. Whatever the outcome of this match, it is not going to change too much for a squad that has come out of their biggest season in recent memory, including two four-Test series in a row, with nothing to show for it.”It hasn’t been a great two months from us – coming from India and also here against the English,” Rabada said. “But we are bonding together as a team. I think that’s the best thing we can do right now. We are trying to get ourselves in a good space. We’re very positive at the moment. That’s the best thing to do.”The words escaped his lips but his eyes betrayed him. There was no spark. There was no smile. Rabada was resigned in the way Ashwell Prince, now a selector, feared young players would be when even their captain, AB de Villiers, has condemned the current situation as hopeless.”I feel that it is very disappointing,” Prince said in an interview with the Cape Times. “The messages coming out in the media about AB not enjoying the game, about whether he is going to play, and how long is he going to play. And obviously that comment that ‘all hope is gone’. If I was a young player in the team, I would be concerned about what the captain is saying. Does that mean he has no faith in me as a young player?”Although de Villiers recommitted himself to Test cricket in the immediate aftermath of the Wanderers defeat, there remain concerns about how much longer he will make himself available to South Africa. And he is not the only senior player in the spotlight.Dale Steyn will sit out his sixth Test in eight when he misses the Centurion match, and the fact that he broke down in the other two matches, at Mohali and Durban, merely adds to the doubts over his long-term future.Steyn himself responded to a speculative story about the end of his career by tweeting the publication where the piece appeared, saying he still had a long time left before his career was finished. Nevertheless, his absence, coupled with the injury that kept Vernon Philander out of the series, cost South Africa dearly. Rabada even identified it at as a possible difference between the two sides.”Maybe we can say we’ve got a young bowling attack, they’ve got a very experienced bowling attack. That’s the only difference,” he said. “I don’t think they are that much better than us. Maybe they are playing better cricket than we are.”The reality is that, even with their inexperience, South Africa’s bowling is the only thing that has kept them competitive. Their batting, barring the first innings in Cape Town, has floundered. The line-up has struggled for consistency in an XI battling for balance. In the last two months, they have been shot out for their two lowest totals since readmission – 79 in Nagpur and 83 at the Wanderers – and the number of soft dismissals has pointed to mental fragility. But Rabada insisted they have some fight left.”We are trying our best. It’s not like the batters are trying to get out. You are playing for your country; you have to do your best. I know for a fact every guy is trying to do their best. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way,” he said. “The fighting spirit is natural in the team. No-one is trying to lose their wickets. Everyone is fighting out there.”Prince believes one person needs to fight harder than the rest and that’s de Villiers. “People say we don’t have Graeme Smith anymore, Alviro Petersen, Jacques Kallis, so AB is not batting behind all those types of guys anymore. That means there is even more responsibility on his shoulders as a batsman,” Prince said. “We don’t have the names that people are throwing about, so especially in terms of where the team is at the moment – our backs against the wall – his performances are going to become even more important than they were in the past. The country needs him now more than ever.”That may be Prince’s way of asking de Villiers to stay a little longer, to lead a little more by example or just to try and lighten the mood. Whatever it was, it hasn’t worked yet.By the time Rabada’s media session was over and he had tried his best to convince everyone present that “we are very positive,” the squad had formed a huddle. On previous occasions when they stood in that ring, you could hear the war-cry, their clasping of hands and the shout of “Protea Fire.” Maybe that came later. But as the clouds gathered overhead and the squad stood with their arms around each other, they were an image of unhappiness. Over the next week, only they can change that.

Scorecard

Andy Bichel pushed Queensland from trouble to safety with 125 © Getty Images

The Sri Lankans’ Test preparations suffered another severe wobble when their top order collapsed for the second time in the tour match against Queensland. After folding to 5 for 45 in the first innings, the visitors were in more trouble at 4 for 55 as they tried to overhaul the 85-run deficit created by Andy Bichel’s muscular century.Ashley Noffke continued his fine match when he raced through the openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu before Michael Vandort and Thilan Samaraweera added to the tourists’ pain. They finished the day at 4 for 62, still 23 runs behind, and will rely on Mahela Jayawardene (22) and Chamara Silva (2) to ease the headaches of a side already missing Kumar Sangakkara with injury.Jayasuriya began the tour with a century on a flat surface in Adelaide, but he has struggled with the pitch’s pop at Allan Border Field and managed only three runs for the game. Noffke, who captured five victims on Friday, forced him to fend a lifting ball to Clinton Perren and he departed to similar dismissals on both occasions.The exit of Atapattu, who was lbw to Noffke for 7, was less of a concern as he has performed strongly in both games, but Michael Vandort missed an opportunity for a meaningful contribution when he went for 26 to an excellent legside take from Chris Hartley. At least the Sri Lankans have an idea of what they will face at the Gabba from Thursday after dueling with a high-quality attack.Shaun Tait’s elbow injury means Mitchell Johnson is a virtual certainty for the first Test even though he has struggled for wickets in this match. He took one on Friday and was again out-bowled by Noffke, who had 2 for 8 off six overs in his opening spell. Bichel chipped in late to dispose of Samaraweera and complete a satisfying day of personal achievement.Bichel smashed seven sixes, the most in a first-class innings for Queensland, and 11 fours as he led the Bulls from the early-morning trouble of 4 for 60 to relative comfort. Entering at No. 6 in a bowler-heavy line-up, Bichel started the day cautiously but expanded his repertoire as he got comfortable and reached three figures shortly before tea.”I was a bit lucky today, I got away with a few things, but it worked for me,” Bichel said. “I’m feeling quite comfortable with the bat in my hand and I hope that continues.”The rescue mission of 125 from 168 deliveries ended when he top edged a sweep off Malinga Bandara, who suffered the most bruises from Bichel. Taking advantage of a dropped chance at mid-off on 18 and a run-out escape, Bichel hit freely and rushed to 99 with two sixes in a Bandara over before flicking a single to midwicket for his century.A couple of mistakes in the field did not help the bowlers, who were unable to shut down a pesky lower order despite regular movement off the pitch. Farveez Maharoof was the most successful with 3 for 72 while Bandara picked up 2 for 89 and Jayasuriya claimed the final two wickets as Queensland were dismissed for 285. Maharoof was unlucky, forcing numerous plays and misses, and eventually gained a reward when he had Hartley caught behind for 8 after Noffke had fallen for 34.Bichel and Noffke, who lost a ball with a six over mid-on, combined for an 80-run stand before Johnson and Bichel added 94 in quick time to pass the Sri Lankans’ first-innings total of 210. Johnson may have struggled for impact with the ball over the opening two days but he contributed a lively half-century to complement the work of Bichel.Maharoof, who was pleased with his return, said there was a lot of work to do on the final day. “Whoever gets in just has to bat on,” he said. “You can’t do that much on this wicket, the only thing you can concentrate on is playing down the line and occupying the crease. The first day the pitch was a bit spongy, but it’s dried out a bit and it’s taking off from a length.”

West Indies A 274 for 8 (Smith 69, Joseph 59) v Sri Lanka A
Scorecard
Devon Smith jogged the memories of regional selectors with another half-century, while Sylvester Joseph and Narsingh Deonarine notched their own, as West Indies ‘A’ kept their Sri Lankan counterparts in the field for the entire opening day of the second unofficial “Test” at Warner Park yesterday.The left-handed Smith, who last played for the West Indies against Australia on the tour Down Under late last year, cracked an attractive 69, to help the hosts to 274 for 8 at the close. He hit a century in the drawn opening “Test” last week.Captain Sylvester Joseph, also seeking to stir the thoughts of selectors, stroked an enterprising 59, while Deonarine carved out 55.West Indies A’s total thrived on two major partnerships. First, Smith and Joseph added 88 for the third wicket to revive the regional side from 41 for two and then Deonarine and Darren Sammy (48) posted a further 80 for the seventh wicket when the score slipped to 178 for 6.Smith’s innings contained 12 fours from 103 balls while Joseph faced 82 balls and batted a shade over two hours, striking eight fours.

Send us your views on the Ehsan Mani interview

Ehsan Mani: ‘In all sporting competitions there are strong sides and weak ones and Test cricket is no different’ © Getty Images

Ehsan Mani, the ICC’s president, has said that there are no plans to review Zimbabwe’s Test status despite the country’s dismal performances in the last 18 months.In an exclusive interview with Cricinfo, Mani said that any such decision was the responsibility of the Full Members (the ten Test-playing countries) and that while the possibility of suspending Zimbabwe to give them time to rebuild had been discussed, it was rejected as an option.”In all sporting competitions there are strong sides and weak ones and Test cricket is no different,” Mani said. “The history of the game is littered with examples of such teams going head-to-head resulting in one-sided contests. We recognise that some countries such as Zimbabwe are not at their strongest at the moment but also acknowledge they are in a rebuilding stage.”There appears to be an underlying assumption in many matters concerning the ICC that someone, be it the President or the Chief Executive Officer, has the power to pick up the phone to, for example, suspend a Member but that is not the case. It is the Members themselves that determine such policy within the framework of the ICC’s constitution.But while Mani acknowledged that the ICC were following events inside Zimbabwe closely – “any situation where conflict exists is obviously regrettable” – he was keen to empahise that the politics of any member country was not the ICC’s concern. “Our remit is cricket, not the internal politics of our Members.”Asked why the ICC acted against South Africa in the apartheid era and yet not against Zimbabwe, whose human rights record is the subject of widespread international concern, Mani said: “The issue of South Africa’s sporting isolation was confirmed by a decision made by politicians when the Gleneagles Agreement of 1977 was produced and the ICC accepted that document. Economic and sporting sanctions were imposed against South Africa but no member government of an ICC country has sought to take such a stance against Zimbabwe.”He also reiterated that any country refusing to fulfill its obligations to tour would face financial penalties, but that there would not be any ICC repercussions against New Zealand in the light of their government refusing to allow Zimbabwe to visit. “The decision to stop Zimbabwe touring by refusing to issue their players with entry visas was one made by politicians and, as we have said previously, we will always abide by such decisions.” However, he warned that such action could have consequences. “It would be worth observing that any unilateral or even multilateral action taken that may not be in accordance with the views of the majority might result in consequences. For example, if a Member wished to apply to host an ICC Event having earlier acted in a way that some of its fellow Members felt to be inappropriate then that might jeopardize its chances of securing that Event when the time came for a vote on the issue.”And Mani appeared to hint that he acknowledged the idea of assembling the best players in the world for the Super Series had not been that successful. Asked whether there had been any consideration given to raising an all-Africa side to replace Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa, he replied: “That argument says that a combined side might be able to boast more top-class players in its line-up than any side made up of the players from just one country. The Johnnie Walker Super Series has re-opened the debate about whether it is possible for players from more than one country to come together and form an effective team. The merger of teams into one line-up may also impact on players’ ability to represent their country of birth, something many of them would always aspire to do.”

Duncan Fletcher: ‘Today was a timely reminder of the disciplines that are required forTest-match cricket’© Getty Images

They are known in the trade as “Duncan days” – performances so mediocrethat the only man capable of facing the media afterwards is the Englandcoach himself. And true to form, Duncan Fletcher did his best to put apositive spin on a disappointing effort from England’s cricketers, aftertheir batsmen and bowlers had both been given the runaround by a spiritedSouth Africa A side.”It is possible that one or two of our players were a bit ring-rusty,”conceded Fletcher as the day drew to a close, although he was quick topoint out what a good toss it had been to win, because the pitch swung andseamed for the South African bowlers throughout England’s innings. “Theseguys really know where to put the ball, and they managed to keep it movingfor 60 overs, instead of the usual 25.”The new arrivals for the Test series were especially caught out by theconditions, with Mark Butcher, Marcus Trescothick and Graham Thorpe allfailing to reach double figures. “Some individuals could have used theirtime in the middle more effectively,” admitted Fletcher, “althoughhopefully they’ll get another chance later when the wicket has flattenedout.”There were too many soft dismissals,” he added. “But in those conditions,there is no point in sitting around and trying to block, because youaren’t going to get on top of your game, and you’re liable to get outanyway. There was a decision to make – try and dominate or get out fornothing – but it was an important wake-up call for the batsmen. They mustutilise the time out there as effectively as possible.”After some less-than-taxing outings against Zimbabwe and Namibia, Fletcherhad no complaints whatsoever about facing a side that came at Englandhard. But he was also happy that the pitch had flattened out for hisbowlers by the time their turn came in the afternoon session.”I’m glad it is flat for the bowlers,” he explained. “The last thing theyneed now is a pitch that is doing something. That way they get no mileagein their legs, and they can also get fooled about what lengths to bowl.Today was a timely reminder of the disciplines that are required forTest-match cricket.”Andrew Miller is assistant editor of Cricinfo. He will be following England throughout their Test series in South Africa.

Hampshire enjoyed another good day at the wooden spoon contest against Derbyshire. The Indian summer disappeared into an overcast gloom day, but not gloomy for Hampshire who set up a useful 141 run lead before bad light ended play an hour early.Derek Kenway and Jimmy Adams continued their fine opening stand before both openers were removed within a space of 4 runs.Simon Katich and John Crawley then took up the mantle sharing a 153 run stand. Crawley became the first of Graham Welch’s first of three wickets when he was adjudged lbw. Katich moved onto his fourth century in his last Championship match for the county, hitting 19 fours and two sixes.Dominic Cork the Derbyshire captain, in the middle of some local controversy did not bowl on the second day, leaving the field early on with a ham-string twinge.Two wicket fell in the middle order to cause a blimp on the day, before James Hamblin who had already made a mark on this match with 6 wickets the previous day stayed together with Dimitri Mascarenhas for 90 runs, Hamblin with a season best 61* played the senior roll.Hampshire will be looking to extend their lead on the third day and are in a good position to record their second victory of the season.