Perth braced for rugby mania as British and Irish Lions prepare for first Australian tour since 2013
Perth braced for rugby mania as British and Irish Lions prepare for first Australian tour since 2013
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The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Labuschagne in the nets, Smith in New York
Smith and Labuschagne typically hit more balls than anyone in the Australian squad, so it would've stung the latter to watch others – Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Josh Inglis, Cam Green – get first crack during a lengthy centre-wicket net session at a training venue 30 minutes out of Bridgetown that was more park cricket than international standard. At one point, Labuschagne looked ready to stride in – only for Alex Carey to gently tell him it wasn't his turn yet. Chief selector George Bailey was at training, just days after informing Labuschagne that his streak of 53 consecutive Tests since the 2019 Ashes was over. At 30, Labuschagne's Test career is far from finished. He is too good a player and his Test average of 46.19 still eclipses Justin Langer (45.27), Usman Khawaja (44.96) and David Warner (44.59). An injury to someone in the top six this week would see Labuschagne parachuted in given Australia aren't carrying a spare batsman at the moment. When his time for a bat finally came, after nearly two hours of practice, Labuschagne faced a mix of net bowlers and assistant coaches armed with the 'whanger' before poring over footage with a team analyst and discussing technique improvements. He stayed in the nets for nearly 20 minutes after others had packed up for lunch, watching England attempt to get close to India's first innings total of 471 on the clubhouse TV. Earlier, Labuschagne had selflessly bowled seam-up to teammates – including Khawaja and Konstas – for the best part of an hour to help them prepare. Even when Labuschagne tempted Konstas into a drive and found an edge, he didn't celebrate. Australia will have one more main training session on Monday before the team's opening Test on Wednesday. Selectors are strongly considering playing two spinners, with left-armer Matt Kuhnemann in the frame to join Nathan Lyon on what is expected to be a dry Kensington Oval pitch. NSW paceman Sean Abbott sent down a long spell after replacing the injured Brendan Doggett in the squad but remains at long odds for a debut in this match, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland all fit. 'Obviously the four guys have been playing some pretty unbelievable cricket. There's a pretty firm pecking order,' Abbott told reporters. Loading 'I'd say it's probably going to be more of an opportunity through injury or trying to rest a few guys. 'I mean it's good being here. I need you guys to have a chat to Ronnie [coach Andrew McDonald] and Bails [selector George Bailey] and put in a good word so I get a game. 'If I do, I'll get the first shout of rums down at the bar.'
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Labuschagne in the nets, Smith in New York
Smith and Labuschagne typically hit more balls than anyone in the Australian squad, so it would've stung the latter to watch others – Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Josh Inglis, Cam Green – get first crack during a lengthy centre-wicket net session at a training venue 30 minutes out of Bridgetown that was more park cricket than international standard. At one point, Labuschagne looked ready to stride in – only for Alex Carey to gently tell him it wasn't his turn yet. Chief selector George Bailey was at training, just days after informing Labuschagne that his streak of 53 consecutive Tests since the 2019 Ashes was over. At 30, Labuschagne's Test career is far from finished. He is too good a player and his Test average of 46.19 still eclipses Justin Langer (45.27), Usman Khawaja (44.96) and David Warner (44.59). An injury to someone in the top six this week would see Labuschagne parachuted in given Australia aren't carrying a spare batsman at the moment. When his time for a bat finally came, after nearly two hours of practice, Labuschagne faced a mix of net bowlers and assistant coaches armed with the 'whanger' before poring over footage with a team analyst and discussing technique improvements. He stayed in the nets for nearly 20 minutes after others had packed up for lunch, watching England attempt to get close to India's first innings total of 471 on the clubhouse TV. Earlier, Labuschagne had selflessly bowled seam-up to teammates – including Khawaja and Konstas – for the best part of an hour to help them prepare. Even when Labuschagne tempted Konstas into a drive and found an edge, he didn't celebrate. Australia will have one more main training session on Monday before the team's opening Test on Wednesday. Selectors are strongly considering playing two spinners, with left-armer Matt Kuhnemann in the frame to join Nathan Lyon on what is expected to be a dry Kensington Oval pitch. NSW paceman Sean Abbott sent down a long spell after replacing the injured Brendan Doggett in the squad but remains at long odds for a debut in this match, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland all fit. 'Obviously the four guys have been playing some pretty unbelievable cricket. There's a pretty firm pecking order,' Abbott told reporters. Loading 'I'd say it's probably going to be more of an opportunity through injury or trying to rest a few guys. 'I mean it's good being here. I need you guys to have a chat to Ronnie [coach Andrew McDonald] and Bails [selector George Bailey] and put in a good word so I get a game. 'If I do, I'll get the first shout of rums down at the bar.'
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Why two of Collingwood's modern-day greats aren't even earning the average AFL player wage
Loading Collingwood greats Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom are playing for less than the AFL's average wage for a senior-listed player this year, in what has become a major benefit to the premiership favourites. Pendlebury, 37, and Sidebottom, 34, are contracted for deals in the range of $400,000 in 2025, plus the normal bonuses players can receive for best and fairest finishes and All-Australian selection, according to industry sources familiar with the outline of the super veterans' 2025 deals. Even if either earned best and fairest or All-Australian bonuses, Pendlebury and Sidebottom would still fall short of the $500,771 that is the average for an AFL senior-listed player (not including rookie list players) in 2025. Like Sidebottom, match-winning forward Jamie Elliott, 32, has been in near-career peak form this year – sitting third on the AFL goalkicking table – and is being paid well below his level of performance, relative to the competition. To place Pendlebury's and Sidebottom's deals for this year in perspective, collectively they are paid close to half the amount offered to Carlton's Tom De Koning, by St Kilda, on an annual basis, should the free-agent ruckman take up the Saints' monstrous long-term offer of $1.7 million a year. The Magpies have indicated a wish to retain Pendlebury and Sidebottom, along with Elliott, in 2026. Assuming a reasonable run with injury, Pendlebury (414 games) would break the AFL games record of 432 held by Brent Harvey next year, should he sign on, as now appears likely, for a 21st season. Defender Jeremy Howe, too, is reportedly favoured to be offered a contract. That Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Elliott and Howe have been able to perform at high levels, despite being well into their 30s, has been of benefit to the ladder leaders, who had enough space in their salary cap to acquire Dan Houston from Port Adelaide and Harry Perryman from Greater Western Sydney.
