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Thomas Tuchel has fired a warning shot to experienced England stars, saying it is "time for a bit of fresh blood" in the Three Lions squad.

Tuchel made comment while explaining Wharton and Anderson selectionsAlexander-Arnold leads notable omissionsForest midfielder and Spurs' Spence earn first senior call-upsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Tuchel made the comment while responding to a question about the inclusion of Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton in his squad to face Andorra and Serbia. Wharton was a part of Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad but has not featured in the senior team since his debut before the tournament while Anderson has been rewarded for his league form and European Under-21 Championship crown with his first senior call-up. Tottenham's Djed Spence is also included for the first time.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold was the most notable omission. The former Liverpool man started from the bench in Real Madrid's recent 3-0 win over Real Oviedo. Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka all miss out thanks to injury, opening the door for younger options like Wharton and Anderson, as well as the returning Marcus Rashford.

WHAT TUCHEL SAID

Tuchel said: "We called both of them up, because first of all we think both of them deserve it. 

"They played big roles in two very successful campaigns for their clubs last season. Adam was involved in major trophies for Crystal Palace, and was a key player in the central midfield. Elliot was a key part in a campaign that led to Europe for Nottingham Forest.

"Both of them deserve it, they have had a good start to the season. They have full rhythm. It's time for more competition. It's time for a bit of fresh blood, and that's why they deserve to be with us."

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Both Wharton and Anderson will fancy their chances of starting alongside Declan Rice in the Three Lions engine room. England continue their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign when they face Andorra at Wembley on September 6 before making the trip to Belgrade to take on Serbia on September 9.

Harry Redknapp says he was stunned by Daniel Levy's departure from Tottenham, insisting that he enjoyed his time working under the former chairman.

Redknapp thought Levy would stay 'forever'Leaves Spurs after 24 yearsRedknapp praises his old bossFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Levy departed Spurs earlier this week, in a bombshell announcement that brought to an end a 24-year reign at the helm of the north London club. During that period, he hired 13 permanent managers, with Redknapp managing the club between 2008 and 2012, finishing fourth twice. He took over after Juande Ramos, the winner of the 2008 League Cup, departed, with Spurs only winning one more trophy during Levy's stint; the Europa League last season. 

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Redknapp was at the helm when Spurs built a side featuring such luminaries as Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, and Luka Modric, and he claims that he "never had a problem with Daniel" throughout his time in charge. 

WHAT REDKNAPP SAID

Redknapp told talkSPORT: “Absolutely out of the blue. I never saw that coming at all.

“I thought Daniel would be there forever. When someone texted me [the news] I thought no, you’re having a wind-up. That was his life running that football club, I could never see it coming to an end.

“I never had any problem with Daniel. I sit here and I don’t have any relationship with him or speak to him, not that I don’t want to.

“I found him very good to work for. He wasn’t at the training ground every day. He wasn’t poking his nose in as to who should and shouldn't play.”

He added: “People have to give him a bit of credit for what he's achieved there. “Okay, the trophies hadn’t come and maybe us managers should have done a bit better and won a cup somewhere along the line.

“People forget they’ve had a Champions League final, they’ve had Champions League football quite regularly in the last 12-15 years.

“It hasn’t been all doom and gloom. That stadium when you go there is mindblowing.

“They should be up there and could be up there winning the title in the next four or five years.”

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Tottenham will begin their post-Levy era after the international break, when they face West Ham. 

Nearly all the pieces are in place, but the wicketkeeper-batsman’s form is a worry, particularly in a team that wants to play five bowlers

Firdose Moonda in Johannesburg23-Jan-2018With a 2-0 series lead and an eye on closing the gap between themselves and India to a fraction of a point at the top of the Test rankings, it would seem South Africa don’t have any serious concerns ahead of the finale but there is one. After three scores under 20 in his four innings in the series, and a long-format lean patch stretching back several months, the form of Quinton de Kock has become a worry especially if the team strategy of six specialist batsmen is going to hold in the long term.De Kock’s last Test score of significance was his 68 in the first innings against England in Nottingham in July. He was batting at No.4 in that match, after JP Duminy was dropped and de Kock, one of the few in-form batsmen at the time, was given the freedom to choose his position. But he only batted in that position for two matches before Temba Bavuma took over and now the job has gone back to AB de Villiers.The promotion up and demotion back down seems to have destabilised de Kock. In his last 12 innings, de Kock has not gone past 50, only once for lack of opportunity, when he scored an unbeaten 28 against Bangladesh in October when South Africa declared at 573 for 4. Since then, de Kock has scored 24, 43, 8, 0 and 12 and while the rest of us are looking at the numbers and the history, Faf du Plessis wants de Kock to do the opposite.”The key for someone like him is not to overanalyse or overcomplicate things. It happens when a guy goes one or two or five Tests without scoring runs, you tend to want to overanalyse but with Quinny that’s the last thing you want to do,” du Plessis said. “His biggest asset is that he is a free player and when he is on, he completely takes the pressure back onto the opposition. I know he would like to score runs. From the team perspective, the language we speak to him is to just keep having the positive intent and when he gets the opportunity to score runs, that he cashes in. He will be very hungry to put in a play in this last Test.”De Kock’s natural aggression and instinctive style of play have bought him the licence to be considered a wild child, who will perform in sporadic bursts if left to his own devices. That may work in a side with the luxury of a seventh batsman and it has worked well for de Kock. He has made more than half his 1641 Test runs at No. 7, including all three of his Test hundreds, and averages 55.53 at that position. In contrast, de Kock has scored only 349 runs in 14 innings at No. 6 at an average of 26.84 with two fifties, both made back in 2014, and needs to start taking greater responsibility, which du Plessis has stressed in a series where batting conditions are tough. “If you get in, with your partner, try to string together a nice partnership,” he said.Du Plessis only expects it to get tougher at the Wanderers, especially for a player like de Kock, who prefers flamboyance over fastidiousness. “This is the ground where it swings a little bit more than anything else. Your disciplines as a batsman become important,” du Plessis said. “When you do get through the tough times, that’s when you get value for your shots. The outfield is very quick and the wicket can get good to bat on but there are challenging times for a batter and you need to get through them.”Happily, de Kock knows the Wanderers better than most. It was the ground where he played his franchise cricket at the start of his career and he understands its nuances. Perhaps even more happily, de Kock’s long-time mentor, former national batting coach Neil McKenzie, was invited to attend South Africa’s pre-Test training session, though not specifically to address the de Kock issue.”He was just assisting. He was part of the Proteas set up for a while and his role going forward will be to look at the next tier of batsmen coming through. So it’s just to see how we are working,” du Plessis said. “I do know Neil has quite a good relationship with Quinny but he was going to come to Jo’burg anyway, before Quinny didn’t get runs the previous game.”McKenzie played an important part in fine-tuning de Kock’s game, as much as it could be fine-tuned, when de Kock was dropped early in his career after a tour to Sri Lanka in mid-2013. At the time, McKenzie was still playing franchise cricket and took de Kock under his wing, though he joked that as much as he talked, he wasn’t always sure de Kock was listening. When de Kock was recalled to the side in late 2013, he scored his maiden ODI hundred against Pakistan, reeled off three against India, and made his Test debut the same season.A (re)start so convincing may have to stall at some point but South Africa will want to get de Kock going again soon, especially since the slump has been long. De Kock had a poor domestic T20 campaign in November-December, when he played eight matches and scored 118 runs at 14.75, with a top-score of 39. With limited-overs matches looming, South Africa will want him to find the touch that took him to a sensational 168* against Bangladesh in the first ODI in October last year.After that innings, de Kock credited the work he had been doing with McKenzie and South Africa will only hope the same can happen now, so they can fit the last piece of their Test puzzle into place before the Australia series in march.

United suffered a demoralising defeat to Tottenham in Bilbao and questions over Ruben Amorim's future have continued to circulate.

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Red Devils lost to Tottenham on WednesdayFerdinand gives verdict on Amorim's futureUnited without European football next seasonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United suffered a disappointing defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday night as Brennan Johnson scored the only goal of the game. The performance was lacklustre, leading to questions about the manager's tactics and team selection, but Ferdinand has stated Amorim should remain at the club and be given the opportunity to rebuild despite the outcome.

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United's loss marks another low point in a season riddled with inconsistency and underperformance. Missing out on Champions League qualification puts added pressure on new minority owner Jim Ratcliffe to invest and turn the club around. Ferdinand believes Amorim deserves a chance to implement his vision with a full pre-season and the opportunity to recruit players, though this recent failure may however discourage potential signings.

WHAT FERDINAND SAID

Speaking on Rio Reacts, Ferdinand said: "Ruben Amorim, I think he went a bit defensive. I think he went a bit conservative.

"I don't think the result will determine his future. I don't think any type of result or performance will affect him going into next season. I think he was definitely assured of that.

"He didn't want to come in the first place at this part of the season that they got him because he knew he wouldn't have had a pre-season. He knows the importance of a pre-season.

"If you can switch it and try and find a positive from not being in the Champions League next season and not being in Europe is that he is going to get more time to coach the players on the pitch, less games, less midweek games that he's going to get time to coach these players and then there's no excuses.

"These fans, me and Scholes were sitting there and some of these players are getting songs sung after him. The managers got a song sung after him. They're languishing in the league. They're coming out in their thousands still and supporting this team. These guys need to start giving them something to sing about and justifying why they got there."

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Amorim faces a crucial summer transfer window to reshape the United squad. Ratcliffe will need to provide the necessary funds to attract new players, while Amorim focuses on implementing his tactical vision during pre-season. However, the Portuguese coach will be under pressure to show fast improvement during the early stages of next season.

Jobe Bellingham reportedly held a meeting in Ibiza with Borussia Dortmund as he could follow brother Jude's path to the Bundesliga club.

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Bellingham in demand after Sunderland campaignDortmund remain keen to sign him in the summerBVB have backup in Jashari if deal fails to go throughFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Sunderland midfielder, fresh from a promotion-winning campaign, is said to be weighing his next move as interest from Germany gathers momentum. While both Bellingham brothers are enjoying downtime at Ocean Beach Ibiza, the younger sibling has used the opportunity for more than just relaxation. Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, met Jobe on the island in an effort to persuade the teenager to make the switch to the Bundesliga giants, reports.

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Prior to the encounter with Kehl, Bellingham had been courted by another German side, Eintracht Frankfurt. The 19-year-old traveled to Germany recently and toured Frankfurt’s facilities, sparking speculation that a move was close. However, it appears Jobe opted against joining the club, reportedly unimpressed after viewing the stadium and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Kehl used the Ibiza meeting to personally outline Dortmund’s vision for Jobe, highlighting how the club could aid in his development, just as they did with Jude.

DID YOU KNOW?

While the focus remains on securing Bellingham, Dortmund are also keeping their options open. Should their efforts fall short, Luzern midfielder Ardon Jashari has been identified as a potential alternative. The 22-year-old Swiss international has impressed Dortmund’s scouting network, which has been tracking him for some time. Jashari is expected to command a transfer fee in the region of €30 million (£25m/$34m), similar to what Sunderland would demand for Bellingham.

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Back in the UK, newly-promoted Sunderland are working hard to keep hold of their talented midfielder. With the Black Cats returning to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016–17 season, the club sees Bellingham as a cornerstone for their top-flight campaign.

He played an instrumental role in Sunderland’s successful Championship season, making 40 appearances, scoring four goals, and providing three assists. His performances were pivotal in the club’s push for promotion, capped off by a play-off final victory over Sheffield United at Wembley. With serious interest from multiple clubs and a Premier League season ahead with Sunderland, the teenager must now decide between continuing his rise in England or embracing a new challenge abroad.

Hampshire trail by just six runs without having lost a wicket

ECB Reporters Network11-May-2023Hampshire 89 for 0 (Middleton 39*, Weatherley 38*) trail Kent 95 (Muyeye 28, Fuller 5-21, Abbott 3-23) by six runsJames Fuller took 5 for 21 as Hampshire dominated the first day of their LV= Insurance County Championship match with Kent at Canterbury, skittling the hosts for just 95 before reaching 89 without loss at stumps.Kyle Abbott also starred for the visitors, claiming 3 for 23 while Tawanda Muyeye was the hosts’ top scorer with 28, but Kent collapsed from 94 for 6, losing their last four wickets for a solitary run in the space of 15 balls.Fletcha Middleton and Joe Weatherley were not out at stumps, on 39 and 38 respectively and the visitors trail by just six, with all 10 first-innings wickets remaining.A pregnant skyline greeted the sides at the Spitfire Ground and to the surprise of precisely no one, Hampshire chose to bowl after winning the toss, cashing in almost immediately. Ben Compton went without scoring, edging Mohammad Abbas to Weatherley in the slips and Zak Crawley made just 7 before he was lbw to Keith Barker, for his 500th first-class wicket.Muyeye, back in the side after scoring a glut of runs for the second XI, looked more at home, but after a typically attractive 28 he was lbw to Fuller.Kent announced before the start of play that Sam Billings was playing as a specialist batter, with Jordan Cox keeping wicket. The official reason was to allow him to concentrate on his batting after a run of sub-optimal scores, but it did little to improve his luck. With rain already falling he was lbw to Fuller for 2, to the eighth delivery he faced.With Kent floundering on 56 for 4, Cox emerged from the pavilion but the rain then became too heavy for the umpires to ignore and play didn’t resume until 3.58pm.By then conditions had improved but batting didn’t appear any easier. Cox scratched out 12 before Fuller had him caught behind and Joey Evison was next, leaving a Fuller delivery that clipped the top of his off stump.Jack Leaning at least offered some resistance, hanging around for 96 balls until Abbott had him caught by Liam Dawson at second slip for 24, but when he went the tail was wiped out.Grant Stewart became Fuller’s fifth victim when he was caught behind for 14 and Hamid Qadri was out for a five-ball duck, driving Abbott to Barker at mid-on.A dismal innings concluded when Wes Agar was caught by Ben Brown off Abbott for nought. Kent’s joyless day was encapsulated as Weatherley nicked Agar behind when he was on 29 and Cox failed to hang on to a routine chance.

The USWNT legend expressed skepticism about the national team's standing, suggesting European nations have surpassed them

Lloyd ranks USWNT behind Spain, EnglandSays American squad has "a bit more to prove"Says Spain is "light years ahead" in developmentTSTWHAT HAPPENED

With England outlasting Spain for the Euro 2025 title on Sunday, former USWNT star Carli Lloyd said that – even coming off a 2024 Olympic gold medal – Emma Hayes' side is still behind European nations on a global scale.

“It's an interesting debate,” Lloyd said on the State of the Union podcast. “After watching this tournament, I mean, even teams like Switzerland, Italy, you know, Italy, you could argue that they had a little bit of an easier path to get to the semiinal, but they still came out brave. They were tactically flexible. They played really, really well.

“And so, yeah, it kind of got my wheels turning a bit to think about our current US women's national team, where they're at right now. I know that they had just won the Olympics. I still think they're hovering currently right now, third or fourth behind Spain, England – you could throw in Sweden than there."

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Lloyd emphasized that while Hayes is working to improve the squad, the team still has significant ground to make up compared to their European counterparts

“I mean, Germany down, down 10 men. Their epic performance was pretty amazing," she said. "But I do still think that there's a bit to go. There's a bit there's a bit more to prove to me. You know what they have as far as the depth. And I know Emma's spending a lot of time getting a lot of different players minutes and caps and doing all that to build the 2027. But Europe is in a really, really good position right now. I mean, Spain is undeniably the best. I think they are light years ahead as far as a playing style.”

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FIFA released its latest Women's World Ranking last month, with the United States maintaining their top position. The gap between the Americans and their closest challengers narrowed, with Spain (second) and Germany (third) rising.

Brazil, which split two matches with the USWNT this spring, moved into fourth place, representing a substantial four-position climb in the rankings.

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The USWNT are focused on developing ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. They’ll face Portugal twice in October and then a to-be-determined opponent at the CPKC Stadium.

England’s latest caps centurion looks to finish India series on a high in Dharamsala

Vithushan Ehantharajah05-Mar-2024″I’m proud. You know what I’m like, an emotional guy, so yeah – get the tissues ready.”Jonny Bairstow is ready to embrace the tears this week ahead of earning his 100th Test cap at the picturesque HPCA stadium in the fifth and final Test of this India-England series. A journey that began at Lord’s in May 2012 will culminate under the gaze of the Himalayas, as he becomes just the 17th Englishman to reach a century of Test appearances.”It’s absolutely stunning here,” Bairstow said of the setting, where he also reached 100 ODI caps during last year’s World Cup. “I don’t think there’s a more picturesque ground in the world. Cape Town is one of my favourite places, but when you take a moment, look up at the mountains with the snow and everything that goes with it up here in Dharamsala, it’s quite incredible.”Bairstow’s family and close friends arrived on Monday, and will be alongside him for Thursday’s cap presentation. It is as much their moment as his, particularly his partner and nine-month-old son, and mother, Janet. She brought up Jonny and his sister, Becky, after their father, David, committed suicide in 1997. Jonny was eight at the time.Janet was battling breast cancer then as well, which returned in 2012 and led to Bairstow returning home from what was his first tour of India. All of which makes her presence here in India that little bit more special.”The strength and courage she’s shown to bring us both up, support us tthrough the journey is huge. Without her, we wouldn’t be here today,” he said. “It’s a special occasion for everyone who has been there on the journey, from the guys at the Yorkshire academy through to Baz and the guys here – everyone has had an input. Some better than others … but you have to pick the good bits out and it all adds to the jigsaw at the end of the puzzle.”As far as favourite Tests go, Cape Town 2016, when he scored the first of 12 centuries, features high. Likewise, the 2022 home fixtures against New Zealand and India, at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston, respectively, which encompassed a remarkable run of four centuries in five innings. He made one in each innings against India, as well as a match-winning 71 not out in the second innings at Headingley against the Blackcaps sandwiched in between. Even a defeat to South Africa at Lord’s at the end of his first summer in 2012 gets a mention for the high-calibre supporting cast.Related

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McCullum backs Bairstow: 'I'm sure Jonny will come good'

Jonny Bairstow at 100 caps: A century of spirit and resilience

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R Ashwin – a menace at home, and to lefties

“It’s difficult to go beyond that summer,” Bairstow said, recalling the 2022 home season in which he made 681 runs in six Tests, at an average of 75.66. “They were pretty special Test matches in the way the group came together and the way in which everyone bought into a style of playing cricket that the world started speaking about.”It’s just been a pure pleasure to play with some of the greatest of the game, to play alongside and share the field. When I started, you look at the line-up: Strauss, Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Prior, Swann, Anderson, Bresnan, Broad – that’s a pretty good team.”You look at the guys you’ve grown up playing with. Jimmy is still going, Rooty I’ve played with since I was 12. Ben we have played against since we were 13, to share the journey with those guys. Woody and I played against each other at Under-11s and we look back on that and laugh about it with so much pride.”Even through indulging sentimentality, England have a 3-1 scoreline to improve. This fifth Test not only provides the chance of a silver lining to a series defeat, but also gives them the opportunity to become the first team to win two Tests in India since Alastair Cook’s charges inflicted the host’s last series defeat in almost 12 years.Conditions in Dharamsala are chilly enough to rival the early season of the County Championship – not that many of this squad have experienced that in a while. Seam is set to play a more prominent part, with England considering the use of three quicks for the first time on this trip. The pitch itself was last used in the second week of February for Himachal Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy match with Delhi in which all 36 wickets taken fell to seamers.For Bairstow, a score of note to mark the occasion would go some way to improving on what has been a tough series with the bat. There have been five scores of 25 or above across eight innings, but none higher than 38, leaving him with an average of 21.25. He is also 26 away from 6,000 career runs.”I have felt good all series, just not got the runs I’ve wanted to … a couple of good balls, a couple of bad decisions [on his part rather than the umpires’]. But that’s what happens in India, it’s allowed to happen. The whole trip I’ve been happy with how I’ve been moving, I’ve been in the zone the whole way.”Like in every game, you put your best foot forward. No matter what it is, I’ll be going out there, chewing my gum, puffing my chest out and trying to have a good time with the other ten blokes out there. Whatever the situation is, we’ll be going out there with smiles on our faces, like we have done in the whole series.”

Left-arm spinner claimed 297 Test wickets and remains sixth on England’s all-time list

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Apr-2024Derek Underwood, arguably the greatest spin bowler in England’s Test history, has died at the age of 78.Underwood, who claimed 297 wickets in 86 Tests between 1966 and 1982, played his entire first-class career at Kent, for whom he made his first-team debut at the age of 17, and went on to make over 900 appearances across three decades, from 1963-1987, taking 2,523 wickets at an average of just 19.04.Nicknamed “Deadly” by his team-mates, Underwood’s lithe whippy left-arm action was renowned for its accuracy and came at the batter with the pace and snap of a seam bowler.He was at his most lethal on rain-affected wickets, most famously in the final Test of the 1968 Ashes at The Oval, when – after a concerted effort by the crowd to make the outfield playable – Underwood claimed four wickets in 27 balls to defeat Australia and square the series with six minutes of the match remaining.Underwood remains the sixth-highest wicket-taker in England’s history, and the leading spin bowler, ahead of Graeme Swann (255). In ODI cricket, he made 26 appearances between 1973 and 1982, including a pair of appearances in the inaugural 1975 World Cup, claiming taking 32 wickets at 22.93.According to the retrospective ICC Men’s Test Bowler rankings, Underwood was ranked as the world’s No.1 bowler from September 1969 to August 1973. His most startling figures came at Hastings in 1973, when he claimed 8 for 9 to rout Sussex on another rain-affected pitch, with the crowd once again aiding the Fire Brigade in mopping up the ground’s floodwater.ESPNcricinfo LtdUnderwood’s adaptability was reflected in his record in both India and Australia, where he was able to drop his pace to heighten his impact. He would have overhauled Fred Trueman’s then-England record of 307 wickets had he not made two significant career choices at the back-end of his career – first he accepted Kerry Packer’s invitation to join World Series Cricket in 1977, and then in 1981-82, he joined the first rebel tour of South Africa, a decision that led to a three-year ban from internationals and the effective end of his career.Underwood retired from the game in 1987, having won three County Championships, two One-Day Cups, three National Leagues and three Benson & Hedges Cups as a Kent cricketer, during which time he was awarded two benefit seasons, in 1975 and 1986 respectively. He was awarded an MBE for services to cricket in the New Year’s Honours list of 1981.Derek Underwood sends one down against New Zealand•S&G/PA Images via Getty ImagesIn 2008, Underwood was named as President of Marylebone Cricket Club, after serving as Kent Cricket’s Club President in 2006, and was inducted into the ICC’s Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.In 2011, the Annexe Stand at Kent’s home ground in Canterbury was renamed the ‘Underwood & Knott Stand’ in recognition of the legendary partnership he formed with another of the greats of his era, the England and Kent wicketkeeper, Alan Knott.Kent Cricket’s Chair, Simon Philip, said: “The Kent Cricket family is in mourning following the passing of one of its greatest-ever players. Watching Derek weave his unique magic on a wet wicket was a privilege for all who were able to witness it. His induction into the ICC Hall of Fame shows the esteem in which he was held in world cricket.”An advocate for growing our game worldwide whilst protecting our sport’s rich heritage, Derek also made substantial contributions off the field as well as on it, and he will be sorely missed by everyone at Kent Cricket.”

Australia haven’t lost a Test at Brisbane since November 1988, winning 11 out of their last 16

S Rajesh02-Nov-2005

Brian Lara has had a poor run here, averaging 22 from three Tests © Getty Images
Since West Indies last toured Australia, in 2000-01, they have performed abysmally overseas, losing 19 out of 27 matches. Their most recent overseas losing streak stretches to seven Tests – the last Test of the series in South Africa, then four Tests in England and two in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Australia’s record at home during this period is as imposing as West Indies’ is appalling, with 24 wins in 32 Tests. The Test at the Gabba has traditionally been the first match of a series, and over the last 15 years it has been a particularly lucky venue for the Australians – since 1990-91, they have won 11 Tests and drawn five. The last team to beat them here were West Indies, way back in 1988-89. That team had in their ranks batsmen of the calibre of Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, and a pace attack which comprised Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Pattrick Patterson. Since then, though, Australia have beaten West Indies twice in three matches at this venue. (Click here for a full head-to-head between the two teams at this ground.) Overall, Australia have a 4-3 edge in Tests against the West Indians here. The match by which this venue is best remembered, of course, happened 45 years ago, when Frank Worrell’s side fought an epic battle against Richie Benaud’s Australians in a game which produced the first tie in Test history. Since then, though, the matches between the two sides here have been rather more one-sided – in the last six Tests which have ended decisively, the margins of victory have been greater than 120 runs or eight wickets. And the last time they met was the most one-sided of them all, when Steve Waugh’s team swamped the West Indians by an innings and 126 runs. For the extent of domination in that game, look no further than Glenn McGrath’s bowling figures: 33-21-27-10. (Only Bert Ironmonger, an Australian left-arm spinner who played in the days of uncovered pitches, has taken a cheaper ten-for in Tests.) Two of those ten wickets were of Brian Lara’s, who contributed a total of four runs in the match. Thanks largely to that outstanding performance in 2000-01, McGrath’s stats at the Gabba read an impressive 54 wickets from 11 Tests and an average of 22.53. Meanwhile, Shane Warne’s numbers at this ground are even more impressive – 59 wickets from nine games at a shade over 20. However, he has only played against West Indies once here, in 1996-97, when his four wickets cost him 180. Brisbane hasn’t been a particularly happy hunting ground for Lara – in three matches here, he has only managed one half-century and a measly average of 22. His only innings of note at this venue came in his first Test, when he made 58. Shivnarine Chanderpaul has had more success here, averaging 58 in two Tests. Among the current Australian batsmen, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist have enjoyed the conditions at Brisbane the most: Hayden has three hundreds from eight innings, while Gilchrist has been quite prolific too, averaging nearly 65. Ricky Ponting, though, hasn’t had such a happy time here, scoring just one century in 14 innings. Here’s another stat which indicates just how dominant Australia’s bowlers have been at Brisbane – out of five Tests since 2000, they have dismissed the opposition for less than 100 three times, and those scores are among the five lowest totals at this ground. (Click here for other stats on the venue, like highest totals, centuries, five-fors etc.) Brisbane has traditionally been a good venue for fast bowling, but since 2000, they’ve only managed an average of 35.92, just marginally better than the spinners’ rate of 36.97. However, the pace bowlers have taken three times the number of wickets the spinners have during this period – 101 to 33 – while all five five-fors have gone to them too.