International
Khawaja ‘fully understands’ he will play just one Test
Australian batter Usman Khawaja, who will likely replace Travis Head in the fourth Ashes Test at Sydney, said on Sunday that he fully understands that he would be replaced once Head recovers from COVID-19 and is back for selection.
The 35-year-old Khawaja is Australia’s reserve batter for the Ashes and has not played in the three Tests against the Joe Root-led side so far. But the Pakistan-born cricketer’s chance has brightened, as Head has tested COVID-positive and is in isolation in Melbourne.
“If I do play, it’ll only be for one game. ‘Heady’ (Head) will come back next game, I understand the situation,” Khawaja told sen.com.au on Sunday. It will be the first change in the Australian batting line-up throughout the series.
In heartening news for Australia, all its squad members, barring Head, continue to test COVID-negative even though Cricket Australia (CA) has added Nic Maddinson, Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis to the squad as batting cover.
However, Khawaja — who made his debut at the SCG in the 2010/11 Ashes series — is set to play his first game in national colours since more than two years.
“I’ll potentially have one game here for Australia. Hopefully I can go out there and score a hundred in the absence of ‘Heady’. I know there’s still a lot of cricket to come up in the subcontinent, which I feel I’m very suited to too (and) I’m looking forward to hopefully being a part of,” said Khawaja.
Khawaja and Head were contenders for Australia’s No. 5 slot ahead of the Ashes, but the latter narrowly missed out. The 28-year-old Head has justified his selection and is averaging 62 after the first three Tests including a century in that opener at The Gabba.
Khawaja has also been in fine form in the Sheffield Shield, but has missed out on domestic cricket for nearly a month after being included in the Australian squad. The 35-year-old acknowledged that it’s tough sitting on the sidelines, but is confident he can find his feet in what might be his last Test for Australia.
“I haven’t played for maybe a month now, so it does make it a little different. Hopefully if I play and get out there and bat for half an hour and get into it, I should find that sync again. I’ve been batting in the nets, but anyone will tell you it’s not the same. I’ve stayed as ready as I can on the sideline,” added Khawaja.
The SCG Test commences on January 5.
International
₹136 Crore Per Year To Luxury Suite At Training Ground: All About Kylian Mbappe’s Bumper Deal At Real Madrid
In a move that has captivated football enthusiasts worldwide, Kylian Mbappe has officially transferred from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid as of Tuesday.
This long-anticipated switch concludes months of speculation and excitement among fans.
Real Madrid’s Exciting Acquisition
Real Madrid announced on Monday that they had secured a deal with the French superstar for the next five seasons, merging one of football’s brightest talents with its most illustrious club.
This deal follows years of interest from Madrid, eager to bring in the player seen as the heir to Lionel Messi’s throne in the sport.
Financial Details of Mbappe’s Move
The 25-year-old Parisian will reportedly earn 15 million Euros net per season at Real Madrid, translating to over ₹136 crores annually. This figure breaks down to an impressive ₹2.6 crore per week.
While this is a significant reduction from the €75 million net per year he received at PSG, the shortfall will be offset by a massive signing bonus. The bonus, around €150 million, will be disbursed over the course of his contract.
Perks and Anticipated Debuts
Aside from his substantial salary, Mbappe will enjoy a private luxury suite at Real Madrid’s training facility and will sport the iconic No.9 jersey, previously worn by legendary striker Karim Benzema.
His anticipated debut for Real Madrid will occur during the preseason, with their first friendly against AC Milan at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 31.
His competitive debut is expected in the UEFA Super Cup, where Real Madrid will take on Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw, Poland, on August 14.
Mbappe’s Stellar PSG Legacy
Mbappe joined PSG from Monaco in 2017 for €180 million and has since become the club’s all-time leading scorer.
Throughout his seven-year tenure in Paris, he consistently demonstrated his scoring prowess, netting at least 30 goals in six of those seasons. His move to Real Madrid marks the next chapter in an already illustrious career, as he aims to further his legacy at one of the world’s most storied football clubs.
International
ENG vs ESP, Euro 2024 Final: Spain Become The 1st Four-Time Champions Of Europe After Beating England 2-1 In Berlin
Match Result:
Spain triumphed over England with a 2-1 victory in the Euro 2024 final, held in Berlin, becoming the first team to win the championship four times.
The match saw a tense first half ending goalless, but Spain took the lead shortly after the break. Williams Jr. netted the opener in the 47th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by England.
England fought back, with Palmer leveling the score in the 73rd minute, igniting hopes for the Three Lions. However, Spain maintained their pressure, and in the 86th minute, Oyarzabal clinched the winner with a decisive strike.
This historic win cements Spain’s status as Europe’s most successful team, while England’s wait for a major international trophy continues. The final was a showcase of high-quality football and strategic mastery, ultimately seeing Spain emerge as deserved champions.
This historic win cements Spain’s status as Europe’s most successful team, while England’s wait for a major international trophy continues. The final was a showcase of high-quality football and strategic mastery, ultimately seeing Spain emerge as deserved champions.
Preview of Euro 2024 Cup final:
A strong Spanish outfit will meet a pesky England side in the final of Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Spain battled France and defeated them by 2-1 in the semi-final, while England overcame the Netherlands by the same margin.
However, it wasn’t without a contentious penalty call that went in England’s favour. Despite not starting the contest as favourites, England’s ability to hang in there could work against Spain, who are seeking a 4th Euro title. By contrast, England are yet to lift the trophy.
A crucial stat which is in favour of England is the head to head battle, which the former lead by 13-10 against Spain in 27 outings.
International
Violent Clash Erupts Between Rival Supporters During Argentina vs Brazil 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has been marred in controversy as the match between Brazil and Argentina saw violent clashes between rival supporters before the start of it. The high-profile fixture had to be delayed by 30 minutes as the Marcana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro witnessed ugly scenes, with disturbing visuals emerging on social media.
With the Brazilian and Argentinian players lining up for national anthems, the camera turned towards the stands as a section of rival fans exchanged blows. The local police officials could be seen beating up a section of Argentinian fans with batons and it did not go well with the tourists. By pointing at the violent scenes, Messi and co. decided to walk off the pitch.
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