logo
Rising star to debut as Aussies bowl first in MCG Test

Rising star to debut as Aussies bowl first in MCG Test

Yahoo30-01-2025

Rising star Georgia Voll will make her Test debut in the historic day-night clash with England at the MCG, even after captain Alyssa Healy proved her fitness.
Under a cloud after missing the Twenty20s due to a foot injury, Healy was trusted by selectors to make it through the first women's Test at the MCG since 1949.
She won the toss, electing to send England in to bat as Australia chase the first 16-0 points whitewash since the multi-format Ashes was introduced back in 2013.
Introducing Australian Women's Test cap #185, Georgia Voll! 🙌#Ashes pic.twitter.com/EIDc8BX4rs
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) January 30, 2025
"I'm really excited," Healy said.
"A long time coming (to be back playing).
"A lot of talk about this series in general but we're part of the way through it. Four more days of good tough cricket to go."
Voll was presented with her baggy green by Australia legend Belinda Clark.
The 21-year-old will open the batting with fellow young gun Phoebe Litchfield, with Healy shifting to No.4.
Alyssa Healy an hour out from the toss... #Ashes pic.twitter.com/oFPhWVuFFI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 30, 2025
Healy won't take the gloves in this match, with fellow star Beth Mooney to continue wicketkeeping after handling it well during the T20s.
Australia: Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy (capt), Annabel Sutherland, Beth Mooney (wk), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Kim Garth, Alana King, Darcie Brown.
England: Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight (capt), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Liverpool agree €136.3m transfer of Florian Wirtz from Leverkusen
Liverpool agree €136.3m transfer of Florian Wirtz from Leverkusen

New York Times

timean hour ago

  • New York Times

Liverpool agree €136.3m transfer of Florian Wirtz from Leverkusen

Liverpool have agreed a fee of €136.3million (£116m) to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The fee is comprised of a €117.5m (£100m) upfront fee with a further €18.8m (£16m) in add-ons. The Athletic reported on June 6 that Liverpool had submitted an improved offer of €134million (£113m) for the Leverkusen playmaker. The bid, comprising a €118.7m (£100m) upfront fee with a further €15.4m (£13m) in add-ons, would see the majority of the money guaranteed. Advertisement That followed Liverpool's €130million (£109m) approach for the 22-year-old the week before, comprised of a guaranteed fee and potential add-ons. Liverpool do not intend to meet Leverkusen's reported asking price of €150m for Wirtz, while the German club do not wish for the player to reach the final year of his contract, which expires in 2027. was not rejected as such and talks continue in order to settle on a package that is acceptable to both sides, but Liverpool have no intention to bid as high as the reported €150m (£126.4m) asking price for the attacking midfielder. The discussions — led by Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Leverkusen managing director of sport Simon Rolfes — have been mainly focused on the structure and specifically payment terms, plus the nature of any add-ons. Wirtz was also targeted by Bayern Munich this summer, but the Bundesliga champions were informed in May that the playmaker favoured a move to Liverpool. He visited the north west of England to look for a property to live in, should his move to England proceed. The German midfielder recorded 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 matches last season as Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga and reached the Champions League round of 16, where they were defeated by Bayern. In the previous campaign, Wirtz played an instrumental role in securing his side's maiden German top-flight title with an unbeaten domestic season, alongside reaching the Europa League final. He scored 18 goals and assisted 20 in 49 matches, earning the Bundesliga player of the season accolade. Communication between Liverpool and Leverkusen had been opened early in the summer transfer window as the English club met the €35million (£29.6m; $39.3m) release clause for Jeremie Frimpong. The signing of the Dutch wing-back, on a five-year contract, was announced on May 30 following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup. Analysis by Mark Carey Arne Slot has most commonly used Dominik Szoboszlai as Liverpool's attacking midfielder in his first season as Liverpool head coach, but the Hungary international has not necessarily shown all the traits you would typically associate with a player in that position. Szoboszlai has been a crucial cog in Slot's system, but as much for his off-ball energy in and out of possession as any of his qualities with the ball at his feet. Advertisement Underlapping runs have been a crucial part of Liverpool's attacking play this season, with Szoboszlai's selfless running dragging opposition defenders with him — making space for the wingers to come inside and swing in back-post crosses to an onrushing team-mate. While his selfless running is valuable, a return of six Premier League goals and seven assists from 36 league appearances suggests there is room for improvement in Szoboszlai's attacking output — something Slot called out early on. Wirtz's basic attacking numbers are stronger, with 21 goals and 25 assists in the Bundesliga since the start of last season illustrating greater potency at the sharp end of the pitch, albeit while playing in a different league. They are different types of footballers. Wirtz is focused more on the micro, with delicate touches and deft flicks, compared to Szoboszlai's macro traits of energy and power. Both skill sets have their place depending on the opposition — if he joined them, Wirtz's close control and ball-carrying would add another dimension to Liverpool's attack rather than transform it. Wirtz's ability to play anywhere across the front line would add an extra layer of versatility to Slot's tactical setup, allowing him to rotate his attacking options during and between games without any decrease in quality. Whether dropping into pockets against deep blocks, pulling wide to evade his marker, or carrying the ball upfield single-handedly, Wirtz can do a bit of everything. Slot's first season has seen Liverpool scoring through their wide players rather than depending on a centre-forward. Wirtz could fit brilliantly into that mould, alleviating the need to sign a top striker, a notoriously difficult market. Given his youth, he could also help Liverpool prepare for life after Salah, who turns 33 this month. ()

Red Bull agree deal to buy Newcastle Falcons and keep Premiership club afloat
Red Bull agree deal to buy Newcastle Falcons and keep Premiership club afloat

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Red Bull agree deal to buy Newcastle Falcons and keep Premiership club afloat

Brett Connon of Newcastle Falcons in action against Leicester Tigers during a Premiership match in May. Brett Connon of Newcastle Falcons in action against Leicester Tigers during a Premiership match in May. Photograph:Red Bull has agreed a deal to buy Newcastle Falcons which includes a commitment to keep the club in the city and will ensure the Premiership remains a 10-team competition next season. Newcastle have been for sale for over a year, with owner Semore Kurdi no longer willing to fund multimillion-pound annual losses, leading to fears they could become the fourth Premiership club to go bust in the last two years after Wasps, Worcester and London Irish. Advertisement Related: An ugly pack and backs worth paying to watch: Bath have taken us back to the 1990s | Andy Bull Such has been the concern for Newcastle's future that the other Premiership clubs agreed in principle to provide a £4m loan to enable them to take part in the competition next season, with a nine-team top-flight not thought to be commercially viable. Red Bull is understood to have reach an agreement to take over the cash-strapped club however, and take on their £39m debts. These include £14.5m in unpaid treasury loans taken out during the Covid-19 pandemic. During negotiations with the Austrian energy drinks company the prospect of moving the club to the 26,000-capacity Darlington Arena 40 miles away was discussed, but the Guardian has been told that Red Bull's takeover plan involves Newcastle staying at Kingston Park, which has been their home for the past 35 years. Advertisement Red Bull's decision to stay in Newcastle is likely to be popular with the club's longsuffering fans, who did not see them win a single match last season and only two this as Steve Diamond's side finished bottom of the Premiership on both occasions. The company's vision for the club is understood to be based on using their brands and marketing expertise to gain support from younger people in the city, with several campaigns planned to appeal to Newcastle's student population. Given the company's footballing connections Red Bull is also expected to seek a close working relationship with Newcastle United. The club's outgoing sporting director Paul Mitchell previously worked at RB Leipzig. Newcastle will be Red Bull's first rugby purchase, but the club aligns with it's purchase model of snapping up underperforming sports teams with a business plan of transforming them into global brands. The company paid Ford just $1 to buy the failing Formula One team, Jaguar Racing, in 2004 and have successfully transformed them into giants of the sport, with Red Bull Racing winning eight world drivers' championships and six constructors' titles in the last 15 years. In addition to football clubs, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls, they also own 9.9% of Leeds United and are heavily involved in motor sport and winter sports. Advertisement Attracting a new owner such as Red Bull is also a coup for Premiership Rugby, who are seeing much-needed signs of growth for the sport. Viewing figures for Premiership matches on TNT Sport are up 10% on last season before Saturday's final between Bath and Leicester, with the increase 47% when the game directly follows a Premier League match. In another significant boost TNT Sport last month agreed a new five-year deal giving it exclusive live rights for every Premiership match until 2031. Red Bull and Newcastle declined to comment on the deal.

Premiership final betting tips: Two predictions for Bath vs Leicester
Premiership final betting tips: Two predictions for Bath vs Leicester

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Premiership final betting tips: Two predictions for Bath vs Leicester

Premiership final betting tips: Bath to win by 11-15 points - 11/2 BoyleSports Leicester HT Bath FT - 5/1 Bet365 Bath take on Leicester Tigers in the Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday looking to win the title for the first time since the 1995/96 season. Since the way the league winner was determined changed in 2002/03 when the Premiership final was introduced, Bath have been involved three times, losing to Wasps, Saracens and most recently Northampton, 12 months ago. Advertisement Leicester have won the title nine times since their opponents last lifted the trophy, the final time was three years ago when they beat Saracens 15-12. The two sides finished first and second in the Premiership table with Bath finishing 11 points clear of Saturday's opponents. They came from behind at half-time to secure a 34-20 victory over Bristol Bears in the semi-finals while Leicester beat Sale Sharks 21-16. On the back of that, betting sites are siding with Bath to get the job done with 4/11 the best odds available on the favourites. Bath to complete the hat-trick over Leicester Rugby betting sites are backing the the final to go with the form book but you can get 3/1 on Leicester to win and 28/1 on a draw. Advertisement The two sides met in the Premiership just over three weeks ago and Bath ran out 43-15 winners thanks to seven tries by seven different scorers and four conversions from Finn Russell. The Scotland fly-half is in form having scored 14 points in the semi-final win with four conversions and two penalties. He also scored when the two sides met in the reverse league fixture back in September, helping his side to a 20-15 victory despite trailing 10-5 at the break. The 32-year-old has scored 243 points this season, including four tries, 92 conversions and 13 penalties and he's bound to be on the scoresheet this weekend. Advertisement With Russell in fine form, Bath should prove too strong for Leicester and should win with a comfortable points cushion to spare. Premiership Final prediction 1: Bath to win by 11-15 points - 11/2 BoyleSports Tigers to get off to a flying start Against both Leicester at Welford Road and Bristol Bears last weekend Bath were forced to come from behind at the break to win and betting apps are offering 5/1 on this happening again at Twickenham. Leicester head coach Michael Cheika will know his side must start well if they are to secure their record 12th title and although we know they are going to struggle against the quality of Bath we are confident they can cause their opponents real problems early on. Advertisement With that in mind, there's good value in the half-time/full-time market so we're backing that recent trend to continue. Premiership Final prediction 2: - Leicester HT Bath FT - 5/1 Bet365 Please gamble responsibly If you're having a bet on the Premiership final, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive and it's important to stay in control of your gambling, whether you're using online bookmakers, casino sites, slot sites or any other gambling platform. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control. Advertisement It's easy to get sucked in by free bet offers or casino bonuses, but they can become addictive so be mindful when opting in to a promotion. If you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store