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Não só o Santos perdeu para o Grêmio na noite deste domingo, pelo Brasileirão, como a torcida santista também perdeu a cabeça com atitudes grotescas ao invadir o setor gremista no estádio Alfredo Jaconi provocando briga nas arquibancadas em Caxias do Sul. Assista no vídeo acima.

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Everton’s start to their 2024/25 pre-season tour of the United States has already underlined the work David Moyes still has ahead.

A humbling 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth was a reminder of the squad’s fragility after another summer of major outgoings.

The arrivals of Mark Travers, Carlos Alcaraz, and £27m signing Thierno Barry signal a clear intent to refresh the squad, but Moyes has openly warned that patience will be needed – especially with Barry, who remains raw and unproven at Premier League level.

Adam Aznou is expected to become the fourth new face at Goodison Park after Everton reached an agreement with Bayern Munich, but the club remain active in their search for further attacking reinforcements.

Talks continue with Lyon over Malick Fofana, though interest in the Belgian winger is intense.

Meanwhile, alternative targets are being explored with a view to shaping a younger, more dynamic squad that fits Moyes’ evolving vision.

One name stands out, not just for his talent, but for the buzz surrounding his rise to prominence.

And he’s already being likened to a former Everton prodigy who once lit up Goodison Park.

The young starlet catching Everton's eye

Tyler Dibling is the 19-year-old forward drawing comparisons to a young Ross Barkley.

With 33 Premier League appearances for Southampton under his belt last season, scoring twice and assisting once, Dibling is already attracting significant attention.

According to reports, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich have all monitored his progress, but it’s Everton who are now showing the strongest intent to bring him to Merseyside.

Dibling is under contract with Southampton until 2027, but with Saints braced for a new wave of offers, his future remains uncertain.

Transfer Focus

According to sources close to the club, via Liverpool Echo, Everton’s interest is genuine and growing.

The Toffees see him as an ideal long-term project, especially with multiple senior players, such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ashley Young, all departing this summer after their contracts expired.

The teenage winger made his England U21 debut this year against Spain, underlining his rapid development.

But this is no overnight success. As a 16-year-old, Dibling famously scored a hat-trick against Newcastle U21s.

It was a moment that drew national attention and confirmed him as one of the country’s brightest attacking prospects.

Adam Asghar, Southampton’s former U21 coach, said: “He’s the most fearless player I’ve ever worked with, He’s totally unique to anything I’ve seen before.”

“He’s got raw physicality, pace and power, and is an unbelievable ball-carrier. He’s always impacting games. In a generation of football where it’s very much about limited touches and moving the ball quickly, Tyler can move it quickly by carrying the ball rather than passing it. That’s what makes him such a special talent.”

From Barkley to Dibling – the art of fearless ball-carrying

For Everton fans, talk of raw power, direct dribbling and unshakable confidence will bring back memories of a young Barkley.

At just 18, Barkley had already made his Premier League debut and was establishing himself as a central figure at Goodison Park.

By 19, he had become a regular in the England U21 side, and by 21 he had earned a senior call-up, and featured in the 2014 World Cup squad.

There was a sense of destiny about Barkley’s rise, fuelled by ability to glide past opponents, and knack for spectacular goals.

Dibling, like Barkley, is explosively built and thrives when carrying the ball through midfield and into the final third.

According to last season’s stats, he ranked in the 87th percentile for take-ons attempted (5.28 per 90 minutes), and in the 81st percentile for successful take-ons (2.16).

He’s a player who beats his marker, and forces defenders onto the back foot, exactly the kind of spark Everton have missed in recent years.

Despite his youth, Dibling’s defensive contributions also impress.

The same data reveals he sits in the 88th percentile for tackles in the midfield third (0.86 per 90), and remarkably in the 98th percentile for the percentage of dribblers tackled (61.5%).

These numbers reflect both his work ethic and his intelligence out of possession – qualities Barkley also demonstrated in his early Everton days before adopting a more attacking role.

What further sets Dibling apart is his ability to draw fouls.

He ranked in the 92nd percentile for fouls won (2.49 per 90), and 98th for penalties won (0.10) – figures that suggest a player constantly testing defenders and breaking defensive lines with his movement and balance.

While comparisons with Barkley are flattering, Dibling is carving out a unique identity. His game is grounded in progression through movement, pressing from the front, and efficient chance creation.

He’s also statistically aligned with players like Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) and Stephy Mavididi (Leicester), all wide forwards with an eye for space, unpredictability, and technical strength in one-on-one situations.

In a squad currently lacking consistent creative output, and with much of the burden previously falling on Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil, Dibling’s arrival would provide Moyes with a powerful new outlet.

The fact that he is English, grounded in Premier League football, and still years from his peak only strengthens his appeal.

Everton have made bold calls in the transfer market this summer. But if they can bring Dibling – valued at around £55m – to Goodison, it might just be the most exciting of them all.

Moyes' new Declan Rice: £42m star is pushing to sign for Everton

Everton are closing in on signing a new midfielder

1 ByRoss Kilvington Jul 29, 2025

استقر الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم، على تعيين حكم مصري لإدارة مباراة بنين وروندا، المقررة ضمن منافسات التصفيات المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم.

ويلتقي منتخب روندا وبنين، ضمن منافسات الجولة التاسعة من التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026، المقام في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وكندا والمكسيك.

وعلم بطولات من مصادر خاصة داخل اتحاد الكرة، أن الحكم الدولي المصري محمد معروف، سيدير مباراة بنين وروندا.

طالع.. حكم مباراة منتخب مصر وجيبوتي في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

ومن المقرر أن يتم الكشف عن الطاقم المساعد والذي سيكون من مصر خلال الساعات المقبلة.

ويتواجد منتخب بنين في المركز الثاني من المجموعة برصيد 14 نقطة، بينما رواندا في المركز الرابع من المركز الحادي عشر.

Ben Duckett believes that Pakistan could “crumble” under pressure in their second innings in Multan, after England finished the second day trailing by 127 runs with four wickets left on a worn pitch that has been recycled from the first Test.In each of their four Tests in 2024, Pakistan have batted first and then imploded in the third innings, registering scores of 115 against Australia in Sydney, 146 and 172 against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, and, most recently, 220 against England in last week’s innings defeat in Multan. On a wearing pitch, Duckett believes they could face similar issues.”We bat all the way down,” Duckett told Sky Sports. “I think it’s going to be really important that we look to score runs. We know on this pitch, it’s not going to be a draw and we’re definitely not going to play for a draw. Runs are going to be so, so vital… That first hour, if we can try and get as close as we can, we know that they can crumble.Duckett backs England to keep fighting in second Test•Getty Images

“The pressure’s kind of over to them. We’re one-nil up in the series. We won the last series three-nil. I know that they’re going to fight the whole way through this game and try and make it as hard as they can for us. But we always believe we’re in the game… If we bowl well and if we can try and keep the chase to anywhere around 200 or less, we’ll believe we’ll be in the game.”Duckett, who made 114 in England’s reply to Pakistan’s total of 366, said that the pitch offered more for the spinners in the evening session after a day of wear. “I think the more the pitch gets used throughout the day, it does crumble and ‘go’ a bit more, so hopefully in the morning, it doesn’t go quite as much,” he said. I can’t see this pitch staying the same or not changing much.”I think it’s going to continue to get worse, and I think the beauty of having a couple of seamers is that bounce – and I think Carsey [Brydon Carse] and Potts [Matthew Potts] really were incredible throughout that first innings. We’re going to use them again in the second innings. If the ball’s down with the odd one bouncing up, we’ve got those options as well.”Sajid Khan, who took 4 for 86, said that Pakistan’s spinners had learned to vary their pace across the second day after initially bowling too quickly. “There’s a patch slightly wider outside the [right-hander’s] off stump that was producing turn, and at a particular pace,” Sajid said. “We were bowling a little too quickly.”If you slow it down to 67-68 kph, that’s when you got purchase. If you bowl at particular spots at 90+ you’ll only get the odd break. But there’s nothing in it for the spinner if you’re bowling within the stumps. If you bowl wider outside the stumps, and slow, that’s where the cracks are, and that’s what we seek to exploit.”

Everton are readying themselves to bring in more arrivals under David Moyes and have now made an approach for a new striker, according to a report.

Everton plotting to make more signings

Continuing their pre-season preparations, the Toffees suffered a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park ahead of their trip to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series.

Reacting after a disappointing day at the office, new signing Mark Travers believes his side will become stronger over the coming weeks once fitness is restored at Finch Farm.

He stated: “It’s really good to get 90 minutes under my belt. I’d say it’s a disappointing result, but we’re still early in pre-season. The lads are just getting their fitness levels up. I’m really excited to get my first game early in pre-season and I’m looking forward to the rest of pre-season now.”

Of course, part of the improvement to come will take shape in the form of signings at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and Everton have entered the race to sign Celtic forward Daizen Maeda following his 33-goal return last season.

However, Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford and West Ham United are also keen on the Japan international, who could become a new addition to their forward line after Thierno Barry arrived from Villarreal.

Ndiaye 2.0: Everton pushing to sign 'the 2nd best dribbler in the world'

David Moyes wants to add some more attacking quality at Everton this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 15, 2025

Meanwhile, Douglas Luiz and Conor Gallagher may strengthen the Toffees’ midfield. Respectively, Juventus and Atletico Madrid could be tempted by the prospect of selling either player for considerable financial gain.

Right now, it still feels like the Friedkin Group have plenty of work to do in a transitional summer, but Everton may feel they could have gained an edge in the hunt for another striker signing.

Everton make approach for Rangers star Hamza Igamane

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri on X, Everton have made an approach for Rangers striker Hamza Igamane by means of an enquiry. At the same time, Feyenoord and Udinese have also emerged as suitors for the Morocco international.

LOSC Lille appeared in pole position to bring him to France. However, their deal with the Scottish Premiership outfit is now on hold after struggling to find a breakthrough in negotiations despite already agreeing personal terms.

Last term, the 22-year-old scored 16 times in 46 appearances across all competitions, leading to Derek Ferguson labelling him “brilliant” after an effort in a 3-0 win away at Ross County.

Everton appear like they are looking to take a foothold in the race for his signature, but any movement may depend on whether Rangers are willing to budge from their £17 million valuation of Igamane, which has been widely reported.

Thomas Tuchel took aim at England forwards after the Three Lions struggled past Andorra in World Cup qualifying. England may have collected another three points in their march towards the 2026 World Cup, but the atmosphere at Villa Park told its own story. As the final whistle sounded on a 2-0 win over Andorra, thousands of empty seats glared back at Thomas Tuchel.

• Tuchel slams wasteful England forwards
• Fans leave Villa Park unimpressed
• Serbia clash seen as real test

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ranked 174th in the world, Andorra barely laid a glove on England, yet the Three Lions never looked like turning dominance into a rout. Tuchel, known for his meticulous standards, was far from impressed with what he witnessed. And in a brutally honest post-match assessment, Tuchel took aim at three of his attacking players, insisting England’s wastefulness kept the scoreline respectable for Andorra.

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT TUCHEL SAID

  Tuchel said: “It’s difficult because it's a very different crowd to a Premier League crowd. I think the energy was right, the quality was there and we should've scored more. I think we missed the little moments to accelerate the game. Maybe Ebz [Eberechi Eze] didn't have his best day in the number 10, the last pass from Noni Madueke wasn't clinical enough and Marcus Rashford had good moments but couldn't finish them.

  “It's stuff that can happen against a narrow team. The second goal should have come earlier because it gave us a lot of freedom. In general with the effort and attitude I am totally satisfied and it was a much better performance than in June. It would have be deserved to win 4-0 or 5-0."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The spotlight inevitably fell on Eze, Arsenal’s summer signing, who was handed a starting berth but failed to leave a lasting impression. Sloppy in possession and hesitant in dangerous areas, the midfielder struggled to impose himself in a match many thought was tailor-made for him to shine. With competition for places fierce, Eze’s quiet display may have dented his hopes of nailing down a regular starting role in Tuchel’s England, especially when Jude Bellingham will be back.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  A sell-out 39,202 crowd had packed the stadium expecting goals galore, but the lack of cutting edge left many flat. England have now managed just three goals in two matches against Andorra across the campaign, a statistic that underlines Tuchel’s frustration. With such a gulf in rankings, anything less than a thumping victory always invites scrutiny.

Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has shared news live from outside St James’ Park on Friday afternoon after Liverpool’s opening bid for Alexander Isak was rejected.

David Ornstein revealed earlier on Friday that the Magpies were swift to refuse the Reds’ first official offer for the Swedish superstar, which is believed to be in the region on £110m-£120m.

There are rumours Isak has already agreed personal terms on a move to Anfield, and Downie, speaking live on Sky Sports, has now revealed the next steps.

Second Liverpool bid being prepared "as we speak"

“We expect Liverpool to come back in with a second formal offer, they’re preparing that formal offer as we speak. But Newcastle standing firm, rejecting the first one,” said the North East based journalist.

He continued: “This could be the biggest transfer of the summer. It would be a Premier League record if Liverpool were to get their man.”

There has of course been plenty of conversations around how the Swede would fit with Hugo Ekitike, who arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth £79m if add-ons are met.

BBC tactics writer Alex Keble has suggested using Isak as the out and out number nine, with the Frenchman deployed from the left.

One thing is for sure, Isak would bring the guaranteed clinical finisher Liverpool thought they were buying with Darwin Nunez three summers ago.

The Uruguay international, who is expected to depart this summer if Isak joins, scored five Premier League goals last season from 5.8 expected based on the quality of his chances. Newcastle’s star man on the other hand managed 23 strikes from an expected goals of 20.3, and he has now out-performed his xG in all three of his seasons in England.

Isak is thought to be training alone in Spain in a bid to be ready for his big switch, with Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier commenting on the situation earlier this week: “Alex has got a thigh injury – that is the reality.

“Personally, I think there is no point him coming out here if he can’t play in any games.

“He is doing rehab. But we have to do what we have to do with the players we have got, Sean Neave came on and done very well, young kid who has done well.

“We have tough games coming, but we stick together now as a team, and hopefully Alex will come back when he is fully fit.”

South Africa hope their regular Test captain will return for the home series against Sri Lanka next month

Firdose Moonda25-Oct-2024

Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh, which starts next Tuesday, as he has not sufficiently recovered from an elbow injury. Aiden Markram will lead the side in his absence, with a view to Bavuma being available for the home Tests against Sri Lanka next month.”We just feel medically he’s not going to be ready for the second Test,” South Africa’s Test coach Shukri Conrad said from Dhaka. “We will tone down the [rehabilitation] programme so that he can be ready for the Sri Lankan series.”It has not yet been decided if Bavuma will stay with the squad in Bangladesh or return home to continue his recovery and play domestic red-ball cricket. The first-class competition begins next week, and Bavuma’s team, Lions, will play three matches before the first Test against Sri Lanka begins.”I’d like him to stay [in Bangladesh], and I’ve communicated that with him,” Conrad said. “But I also know that he’s got a young family. But yes, I’d like him to stay. He still plays a valuable role. It’s still his team. We’ll see how it unfolds.”Bavuma sustained the injury earlier this month in an ODI against Ireland when he fell awkwardly as he made his ground to complete a run. He retired hurt on 35 in that game, and was unable to field. The injury is on the same elbow which Bavuma had hurt in 2022 on a T20I tour of India. It ruled him out of South Africa’s tour of England later that year.In Bavuma’s absence, Matthew Breetzke, who debuted in the first Test against Bangladesh, in Mirpur, could be retained at No. 6 unless South Africa opt for an extra allrounder or a bowler in their XI. Left-hander Senuran Muthusamy is a possible replacement, as he also bowls left-arm spin.South Africa won the Mirpur Test after dismissing Bangladesh for 106 in the first innings with a four-bowler attack comprising two seamers and two spinners. Conrad paid special tribute to the player he called “our superstar Rolls Royce fast bowler,” Kagiso Rabada, who took nine wickets in the match including his 300th and his first five-for in the subcontinent. “We are an inexperienced side but we still need our leaders,” Conrad said. “KB led from the front there with the ball. He carried this attack, as he has done for quite a while now. And then backed up by some really valuable contributions by others with the ball, and then guys with the bat as well.”Kagiso Rabada picked up his 300th Test wicket and took 9 for 72 in the Mirpur Test•AFP/Getty Images

Kyle Verreynne, playing his first Test in the subcontinent, scored his second century in the format and Tristan Stubbs, newly promoted to No.3, oversaw the end of the chase . “The most pleasing thing for me was just the calmness that we showed throughout. There was nothing frantic about it, even when things were going against us. I was really pleased with the manner in which we went about our business. We were very calm and clear in terms of what our game plans were as a team and as individuals. That, for me, was really the stand out.”South Africa’s win in Mirpur has kept them in the hunt for a place in the World Test Championship final. They have five Tests remaining in this cycle, starting with the Chattogram Test before two each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan at home. On paper and historical form, South Africa will go into all of those matches as favourites but Conrad is being careful not to get too carried away.”We know that there’s some hard graft that’s going to have to be done along the way. That first Test match was the first one that we needed to put in the hard graft. We’re certainly not going to be looking to sit on our lead and we’re certainly not going to bask in the glory of that victory too much. Tomorrow, we go to Chattogram and we know that’s going to be really tough, and we’re going to have to play particularly good cricket. If we get a great result there, then great, and then we move on to Sri Lanka.”The World Test Championship is our World Cup but we are not going to be building any sandcastles, we’re certainly not going to have any pie in the sky but you’ve got to allow yourself to dream as well. And then give yourself the chance of realising that dream. But it’s going to take a lot of graft, and we’re a long way away from that still.”South Africa are currently fourth on the WTC points table and must win at least four of their remaining five Tests to have a chance of making the final.South Africa Test squadAiden Markram (capt), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Michael Owen has taken aim at a social media post comparing him with Wayne Rooney, insisting he was a better player at the age of 17.

Owen fumes over Rooney comparisonEx-Liverpool star runs through the statsBBC asked who was better at 17Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Owen and Rooney had similar beginnings en route to becoming Premier League legends, having both burst onto the scene as teenagers for Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton respectively. Owen made his league debut for Liverpool aged just 17, scoring in a narrow 2-1 defeat against Wimbledon in May 1997, whereas Rooney made his bow as a 16-year-old for Everton in August 2002. He would then go on to score his maiden league goal two months later in a 2-1 victory over Arsenal, then aged 17.

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And such is the similarity between Owen and Rooney that BBC's Match of the Day took to X to ask football supporters who was better at the age of 17. However, as fans quickly fired up social media to cast their vote, Owen himself was among the replies as the ex-Manchester United forward issued a strong tirade in defence of his record as a teenager.

WHAT OWEN SAID

Commenting on the BBC's post, Owen wrote: "At 17 I scored 18 PL goals (winning the Golden Boot), Wazza scored 6. At 18 I again scored 18 goals (again winning the Golden Boot and coming 4th in The Ballon d’Or), Wazza scored 9. In our opening 7 seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me once (117 goals v 80). In which time I became the 2nd youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever. Injuries hindered me from then on while he sustained his level. Therefore, he’ll go down as a better player than me. But, at 17, please…"

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DID YOU KNOW?

The similarities between Owen and Rooney do not stop at club level, with both forwards having scored as a teenagers for England as well. After netting at the age of 17 years and 317 days old in a 2-1 win over Macedonia in September 2003, Rooney became England's then-youngest goalscorer – surpassing Owen's record after he netted against Romania aged 18 years and 190 days old in June 1998.

Australia white-ball wicketkeeper Josh Inglis should be in the conversation alongside 19-year-old prodigy Sam Konstas to be the Test opener against India, according to one of the country’s most respected mentors and judges in New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd.Shipperd suggested Inglis should be a legitimate candidate to open the batting against India in the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, even if it cost his young NSW opening batter Konstas the chance to make a Test debut.Inglis, 29, is Australia’s incumbent ODI and T20I keeper having played 49 internationals for Australia but has not yet featured in a Test match where he has long been the understudy to Alex Carey. Inglis is in a rich vein of form at Sheffield Shield level with scores of 122, 48, 101 and 26 not out in his first four Shield innings this season. But he is no chance to displace Carey as the keeper given Carey has made 90, 111 not out, 42 and 123 not out in his first four Shield innings after making 98 not out in his last Test innings back in March.Related

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But after NSW lost to Victoria in a closely-watched Shield clash at the MCG, where Konstas made scores of 2 and 43 and fellow Test contender Marcus Harris made 26 and 16, Shipperd offered Inglis’ name as a genuine candidate without being prompted.”Let’s not forget Josh Inglis as well, who I think is probably a smokey in terms of the opening batting spot,” Shipperd said. “I’d have Inglis and Konstas in the conversation as one-two, two-one, and let the Australian selectors mull over those two.”His performances for Australia have been first-class, and I think they’re looking for a style of player at the top of the order, and Inglis may fit that brief.”He’s a right-handed version of David Warner, in terms of someone who wants to get on with the play and he’s got strokes all around the wicket. He’s played at the level internationally, and I think he’s a well-respected player.”Shipperd’s opinion is highly valued within Australian cricket and he has been a coaching mentor to current coach and selector Andrew McDonald.However, Inglis has never opened in first-class cricket. He has batted at No. 3 six times and averaged 12.66, at No.4 once and No. 5 six times but has only passed 50 in one of those seven innings. All of his seven first-class centuries, including his two this season, have come at No. 6 or below. He has opened for Australia in six limited-overs internationals for one half-century. His two T20I centuries, including one against India in India, have come at No.3.Sam Konstas worked hard in the second innings at the MCG for his 43•Getty Images

Inglis’ state captain, Sam Whiteman, endorsed him being in the selection mix. “I think if you’re looking to pick guys off form…absolutely [should be considered],” he said. “He’s seeing the ball as [well] anyone in the country. He’s so versatile with his game, the way he transfers from white ball to red ball. He just looks in great nick. I’m all for him playing for Australia in some capacity, absolutely.”Shipperd still believes Konstas deserves to be in the frame after an indifferent match at the MCG where he copped a rough lbw in the first innings and made a patchy 43 in the second that included a life and a loose dismissal trying to launch offspinner Todd Murphy into the Shane Warne stand.”I thought he was a bit stiff in the first innings and in the second innings, I think he started to show everybody again what he’s got,” Shipperd said. “He was really poised and balanced. Anytime you get through the first 25 overs of a Victorian attack with a new ball that shows you’ve got something and, but for a sad error in terms of judgment in that particular ball, I think he showed that he should be in a conversation at least.”Shipperd added Konstas is not letting the intense sudden media and public interest get to him.”He’s really relaxed and just focused on learning and focused on what his game is all about, in terms of what is working, and where the challenges may be,” Shipperd said.”And he had a couple of them in this innings where he did a couple of strange things in terms of his choices, but he’s reflecting on those as he is and we’re really confident that he’s got the game, if picked.”The next couple of matches for the Australian A team I reckon will tell the story in terms of what the Australian selectors will do.”Shipperd is in a unique position to comment on Konstas. He has compared him to a young Ricky Ponting already and Shipperd was Ponting’s coach at Tasmania back in 1993 when he made twin centuries in a Shield game as an 18-year-old. Konstas became the third youngest behind Ponting to achieve the feat against South Australia two weeks ago.Marcus Harris twice made starts against New South Wales•Getty Images

Ponting was made to wait two-and-a-half years between achieving the feat and making his Test debut. Shipperd was asked whether Ponting had benefitted from spending extra time in Shield cricket before being elevated, and whether Konstas should be handled in a similar manner.”I’m not sure. That’s a very good question, though,” Shipperd said. “Yes, he was made to wait. So whether that made him or he was already made anyway, because he was scoring multiple hundreds across the course of that journey between him not being selected and then finally selected, I think at around 21.”But Sam, I do see a lot of that skill level and that poise at the crease, shots on both sides of the wicket, in front of the wicket, behind the wicket. I think he’s got what it takes. And again, Ricky was trying to break into a super Australian side at that moment with probably no gaps. But there is a gap in the Australian team in the position Sam bats in at the moment. So he’s worth being heavily in the conversation.”Meanwhile, Victoria coach Chris Rogers said Harris would be frustrated with his returns against NSW. But the former Test opener believes Harris is still batting well enough to be in the frame.”I think he’d be disappointed he didn’t get the results,” Rogers said. “I think facing Mitch Starc, there’s always a chance you can get out. He’s a world-class bowler obviously. He got caught down the leg side twice. It can happen. He’ll be disappointed. But he still fought hard, he still moved well, he just didn’t have a lot of luck.”