The Philadelphia Eagles took on the Dallas Cowboys at home on Sunday in the pentultimate week of the 2024 NFL season. With the offense missing quarterback Jalen Hurts, out with a concussion, the defense decided to chip in with the scoring effort, opening the game with a pick-six off Cooper Rush to take an early 7-0 lead.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was the man who made the play, outracing the entire Dallas offense en route to the end zone.
As it turns out, the Eagles' defense spent part of their celebration going crazy with a fan in the stands on the field. That fan? None other than Mike Trout, MLB superstar for the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia native. He was jacked up, too.
Trout has been a fixture at late-season Eagles games for years now. He's a massive fan and doesn't have to work when the NFL season is coming to a close as the baseball season wraps up in September. In recent years, it's become a reliable sight to see Trout in the end zone for December and January games. He was even at the Super Bowl in 2023.
Philly entered this week with a 12-3 record and a playoff berth secured. So Trout will have at least one postseason game to attend on top of everything else. Maybe that's why he's so fired up.
England international and Aston Villa star Tyrone Mings suffered an injury against Liverpool that will keep him out of action until 2026. The news comes as a huge blow for the centre-back ahead of the World Cup next summer, as his chances of returning to the England squad have been further diminished. Mings last played for the Three Lions in 2023.
Mings injures hamstring in Liverpool defeat
Mings had only just returned from an ankle injury, which he suffered during Aston Villa's 3-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League in September. The injury kept him out of action for the club's matches in October but he returned off the bench against Liverpool last weekend. He was introduced in the match in the 74th minute in place of Pau Torres but pulled up in stoppage time as he sprinted back to defend against Mohamed Salah. Mings clutched the back of his right leg due to a hamstring problem and left Anfield in discomfort.
After the game, Emery confirmed Mings' injury setback and predicted that the defender could be out for four weeks. The Spanish coach said: "It’s his hamstring. Yes, normally some weeks he will be out with an injury like that. But tomorrow we will test him and know exactly how much he will stay out of the team."
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Mings out until 2026
According to , Mings underwent scans on Monday and the reports have now shown that it is indeed a hamstring injury and quite a serious one, which keeps him sidelined for up to seven weeks. This means that the defender will no longer be available for selection for the rest of the 2025 calendar year.
The England international has been plagued with several injuries since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, appearing in only 31 matches across competitions in this timeframe. In August 2023, Mings was sidelined after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. In the current campaign, the central defender has started in six out of the eight Premier League matches he has played.
Major setback ahead of World Cup
Mings last played for England in 2023 against Malta in a European Championship qualifying game. Since then, his continuous injuries have kept him out of the Three Lions squad. Mings, who has never played under England boss Thomas Tuchel, was hoping to impress the German coach this season to get a chance in England's World Cup squad, however, this latest injury comes as a major blow. With the defender out till 2026, it is unlikely that he will get enough time to attain full match fitness and play regularly in the second half of the season in a bid to catch Tuchel's eye.
The 32-year-old is also a leader on the pitch and has played an influential role in the Villa dressing room. His absence from the team will surely impact their performance.
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Who will replace Mings at Aston Villa?
Emery has fielded the centre-back pairing of Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres quite often this season and the duo will likely continue to feature in the starting lineup in the absence of Mings. Villa also have ex-Manchester United star Victor Lindelof and Lamare Bogarde in their ranks, both of whom could fill in when either of Konsa or Torres are suspended or injured.
The Villans next face Maccabi Tel Aviv in a Europa League fixture on November 5, before taking on Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.
Leeds United have finally picked up another win this season in the Premier League on their own patch.
Before Friday night’s clash versus lowly West Ham United, the Whites’ last home success in the league stretched way back to the opening day.
Now, however, the Elland Road hoodoo has been lifted, as a quickfire double early into the tense game handed Daniel Farke’s men a much-needed 2-1 win to shove the Hammers further into their relegation pit.
Several top performers on the night ensured the three points were secured, as Leeds thankfully broke out of a run of three games without a victory in league action.
Leeds United's top performers against West Ham
Leeds fans, heading into this Friday night clash under the Elland Road floodlights, would have been lamenting their side’s recent wasteful displays in league action, having notched up 14 efforts on the Burnley goal at Turf Moor in a dire 2-0 defeat.
This wastefulness wasn’t on display against Nuno Espirito Santo’s lax visitors, however, as a first-half sucker-punch gifted Leeds a two-goal cushion after just 15 minutes had ticked away, with Brenden Aaronson getting the show on the road when converting a rebound after only three minutes.
Aaronson was a bright spark all night long, away from merely this crucial contribution, with 100% of his dribbles being successfully completed, making him a notable thorn in the side of a leaky West Ham outfit.
With 80% of his ground duels won as well, it’s fair to say everyone was singing the American’s praises come the full-time whistle, despite Farke stating at the full-time whistle that he can often be a “polarising” presence.
Joe Rodon would also be lathered with praise come the end of the 2-1 win when connecting with this sweetly taken corner to double his Premier League goal tally for the season, with Sean Longstaff also boosting his assist haul in the process, as the Welshman was left with plenty of space to head past a busy Alphonse Aréola.
Lucas Perri also stood out in between the sticks on his return to the Leeds XI, having had to calmly palm away an acrobatic Jarrod Bowen effort right after Aaronson’s instinctive opener. He was so close to a clean sheet, too, only for Mateus Fernandes to grab a Hammers consolation effort at the death.
Yet, despite the relief of a win being notched up, not every Whites first-teamer performed at their very best against the East Londoners, with this rusty individual in danger of losing his spot in Farke’s main team, as games come thick and fast in November.
The 6/10 Leeds star who could now be dropped
Of course, there will be concerns in West Yorkshire that Dominic Calvert-Lewin went another game without a Leeds strike, especially when coming up against such a charitable Hammers defence.
Still, nobody could deny the number nine’s determined work ethic for his team, with eight duels won in total when he has thrown into the thick of action.
Tanaka’s performance in numbers
Stat
Tanaka
Minutes played
72
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
37
Shots
1
Accurate passes
25/29 (86%)
Key passes
0
Total duels won
1/3
Stats by Sofascore
On the contrary, Ao Tanaka would exit the contest on the 72nd mark with zero of his ground duels being successfully won, as Farke potentially prepares to reshuffle his midfield pack for the test of Brighton and Hove Albion away at the start of next month, away from starting the Japanese gem again.
Indeed, while Ethan Ampadu and the aforementioned Longstaff made their presences widely known – as Ampadu successfully won three ground duels from his 66 touches of the ball – number 22 faded in and out of the clash, with Tanaka actually amassing fewer touches than Perri come the full-time whistle at 37 touches, next to the ex-Lyon stopper’s tally of 51.
Tanaka’s quiet performance was picked up on by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth, with Smyth reserving high 9/10 ratings for the likes of Aaronson, but the former Fortuna Düsseldorf man would only receive a middle-of-the-road 6/10 appraisal after the dust had settled on the 2-1 win.
Smyth would simply note that Tanaka’s showing was a ‘mixed bag’ as the 27-year-old fell victim to being ‘outmuscled’ a couple of times, as evidenced by him losing 100% of his ground duels.
It will be interesting to see if Farke is tempted to drop Tanaka as tough games away at Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City come onto his team’s agenda, with the number 22’s slight off-day very much sticking out as one rare negative, during what was a largely very positive showing against the relegation-threatened visitors.
Better than Rodon: Leeds star who won 100% tackles is already undroppable
This Leeds United star should be undroppable after outshining Joe Rodon against West Ham.
Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich contract reportedly includes a €65 million release clause that can only be activated within a specific window — keeping Premier League clubs on alert. The England captain’s prolific form in Germany has strengthened Bayern’s stance, though speculation over a potential return to England refuses to go away.
Kane’s contract clause puts timeline on potential exit
Kane’s stunning form in Germany has not just cemented his place among Europe’s elite but also reignited curiosity about his long-term future. The 32-year-old forward, who joined Bayern from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023, has a €65m (£57m/$76m) release clause written into his contract, but it comes with strict conditions.
According to , Kane can only trigger the clause if he notifies Bayern by the end of January 2026, opening the door for a summer move that same year. Beyond that deadline, the option becomes void, effectively tying him to Munich until his current deal expires in 2027 unless both parties agree otherwise.
The clause’s structure reflects the Bavarians' evolving approach to transfers. Once known for their resistance to release clauses, the club have gradually softened their stance to attract top-tier players like Kane, whose arrival immediately transformed their attack. The England captain has responded with 12 goals in just eight Bundesliga matches and 20 across all competitions so far this season.
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Bayern calm despite clause amid Kane’s red-hot form
Despite the potential exit clause, Bayern remain relaxed about the situation. Club sources have indicated confidence that Kane is happy in Munich, both professionally and personally. His arrival in 2023 not only revived Bayern’s domestic dominance but also helped re-establish their status among Europe’s top attacking forces.
The striker has led Kompany’s side to an unbeaten start in both the Bundesliga and Champions League, scoring at a record-breaking pace while integrating seamlessly into Bayern’s system. His consistency in front of goal has silenced critics who questioned his decision to leave the Premier League, while internally, Bayern view him as the cornerstone of their long-term project.
“We can certainly talk about that,” Kane said when asked about a new deal after scoring a brace against Werder Bremen on September 26. “I have almost two years left. It’s not like I’m in the final year of my contract and anyone is panicking. I’m fine. The club is fine. I think they’re happy with me, and I’m happy with them. Those discussions can take place.”
English striker's family life flourishing in Munich
Off the pitch, the striker's contentment in Munich has been a key factor in Bayern’s calmness over his contract. His wife, Kate, and their four children have reportedly settled well in Germany, enjoying a quieter lifestyle than in England. The couple, who married in 2019, appreciate the privacy Munich offers compared to life in London.
Reflecting on his family’s adjustment earlier this year, Kane said: “The way the people welcomed us was extraordinary. It touched us deeply as a family – not just me, but all of us. The children go to school and love it. My wife feels very comfortable too. We truly enjoy every second.”
That level of comfort, combined with the club’s success, has made the idea of an early return to England less likely, at least in the short term.
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Premier League return still a long-term dream
Still, speculation about a Premier League return continues to hover around Kane, primarily due to his long-stated ambition to surpass Alan Shearer’s all-time record of 260 goals. The England captain is just 48 goals short after netting 213 times for Tottenham before his move to Bayern.
Several top English clubs including former employers Spurs are expected to monitor his situation closely should the release clause become active. A Premier League comeback would offer Kane the chance to cement his legacy as the division’s greatest scorer, though his current form in Germany suggests he remains fully focused on Bayern’s objectives for now.
Aston Villa are now dark horses in the race for an “amazing” striker, after recently opening talks over a deal, and there is a feeling he would be keen on the move.
Villa keen on new striker after Watkins' slow start
The new Premier League campaign is still at a very early stage, but it would be fair to say Ollie Watkins hasn’t exactly hit the ground running, having failed to score in his opening three games, most recently struggling against Crystal Palace.
The 29-year-old missed one big chance and had just 24 touches of the ball in the 3-0 home defeat against the Eagles, the second-lowest number of any Villa starter.
As such, Unai Emery may be tempted to play Evann Guessand in a central role against Everton on Saturday, while there have also been reports that the Villans could look to bring in a new centre-forward during the January transfer window.
Aston Villa plan move to sign "colossal" star who has £34m+ release clause
The Villans could look to capitalise in the January window.
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Earlier this week, it emerged that Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta is a target for Emery’s side, and there has since been another update on their pursuit of the striker.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now dark horses in the race for Mateta, who is thought to be excitied over the idea of a move to Villa Park, given the centre-forward’s ambitions of playing in Europe.
In fact, talks have already been opened with Palace intermediaries, with Villa trying to gauge whether it will be possible to get a deal done this January.
That said, it could be difficult to get the move over the line, given that Oliver Glasner’s side have little interest in sanctioning a departure, and they could demand upwards of £60m+ if the striker is tied down to a new deal.
"Amazing" Mateta has earned move to Europa League club
Palace will be disappointed not to be playing in the Europa League themselves this season, missing out due to issues surrounding multi-club ownership, but the 28-year-old has earned the opportunity to test himself in the competition.
Over the past two seasons, the former Mainz striker has been particularly impressive, maintaining a fantastic goal and assist record in the Premier League.
Season
PL appearances
Goal contributions
2023-24
35
22
2024-25
37
16
Glasner also clearly holds his first-choice centre-forward in high regard, saying last season: “With his two goals today, he is amazing in the box. He has the feeling that a number nine must have in the box. He makes so many runs where he doesn’t get the ball. You need to suffer as a striker because you make so many runs where you don’t get the ball. He gets the reward and it decides the game for us.”
Emery will be hoping the likes of Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott can make an impact going forward, but if the manager still feels a striker is required in January, Mateta could be a fantastic option.
West Ham’s stance on selling Lucas Paqueta to Tottenham has now been revealed by a reliable Lilywhites insider, with Spurs boss Thomas Frank still scrambling to sign a new number 10 before the transfer deadline on September 1.
The north Londoners have expressed a serious late interest in Paqueta, and Fabrizio Romano has already confirmed that they’ve reached out over a potential deal by making contact.
West Ham's Tomas Soucek celebrates with goalscorer Lucas Paqueta against Chelsea.
The Hammers midfielder, who was recently cleared of spot-fixing charges which he’s battled for almost two years, is now looking to rediscover his best Premier League form after West Ham stood by him during the scandal.
West Ham already lost Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham in a deal worth £55 million earlier in the window, but the consensus is that Spurs could now look to poach yet another Irons star from the London Stadium in Paqueta.
His best season came in 2022/2023, right after joining Lyon from West Ham for a club-record £51 million.
The 28-year-old bagged five goals and seven assists in all competitions, setting up Jarrod Bowen’s winner in the Conference League final, with Paqueta racking up around 34 goal contributions in total since signing for the club.
The Brazil international also boasts 55 caps for his star-studded nation, and this late in the window, he could be one of Tottenham’s only options who might actually upgrade Frank’s squad.
West Ham's stance on selling Lucas Paqueta as Tottenham make contact
Amid Spurs’ approach for the player, very reliable club insider Paul O’Keefe has shared an update on West Ham’s stance when it comes to selling one of their only prized assets with just days remaining till the summer deadline.
West Ham's Lucas Paqueta against Liverpool.
According to O’Keefe, West Ham are in fact prepared to sell Paqueta for the right offer, but any Spurs deal hinges on Graham Potter’s side finding a replacement.
If a transfer domino takes effect, which would allow Frank to welcome Paqueta to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Flamengo’s Filipe Luis thinks that they’d be landing a player suited to any team in world football.
Tottenham Hotspur’s final signing of the summer transfer window, striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG, is poised to make his imminent Premier League debut against West Ham on Saturday.
The Frenchman’s versatility will be invaluable for Thomas Frank, with Kolo Muani able to play on both the right and left-hand side, though it appears he’ll most likely be used as an alternative to centre-forwards Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.
Tottenham’s summer signings
Price tag
Mohammed Kudus
£55 million
Kota Takai
£5 million
Mathys Tel
£30 million
Joao Palhinha
Loan
Kevin Danso
£21 million
Xavi Simons
£52 million
Randal Kolo Muani
Loan
The latter didn’t play in Spurs’ 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth prior to the international break due to a niggling ankle problem, and while Frank suggested that Solanke could be back this weekend, it is definitely wise to have another option up top considering Richarlison’s fitness issues last season.
Kolo Muani has played the vast majority of his 269 total senior appearances as a striker, and there is reason for supporters to be excited by his arrival.
During his best-ever campaign to date in 2022/2023, the 26-year-old racked up an impressive 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, and this stellar form earned him a £76.4 million move to Ligue 1 heavyweights PSG.
While it hasn’t worked out for him in the French capital, Kolo Muani’s head-turning loan move to Juventus last term, where he managed 10 goals and three assists in 22 outings, showcases a player of serious attacking quality.
On the international stage, Kolo Muani has always maintained the faith of Didier Deschamps, even amidst his PSG exile, with the forward bagging semi-final goals against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup and Spain in Euro 2024.
The former Nantes sensation has also been a long-time target for the Lilywhites. Tottenham attempted to agree a deal for Kolo Muani in January before his switch to Juve, and ex-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was personally pushing for him in the winter, according to club insider Paul O’Keefe.
Now, the Spurs recruitment team have got their man, but unfortunately for Frank, there is no option to buy Kolo Muani at the end of his loan spell if he manages to pull up trees in north London.
This is seen as quite an ‘un-Spurs like’ condition of the Kolo Muani deal, and pundit John Wenham has fired a warning to Tottenham over agreeing to a straight loan.
Tottenham sent Randal Kolo Muani warning as "frustrating" claim made
Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham says thatTottenham are taking a “risk” by just signing Kolo Muani on a dry temporary deal, calling it a “frustrating” development and explaining that other sides could outbid them next year.
While there is an argument that Tottenham face not being able to hold on to Kolo Muani, the fact he’s arrived at N17 for essentially zero cost for the entire season is still a big boost for Frank.
Spurs need strength in depth if they’re to finish in the top four and contend for major trophies, and Kolo Muani is exactly the calibre of player to help them do this.
The Professional Footballers' Association is reportedly in talks with Chelsea over how they are treating exiled duo Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi. Both the Blues winger and defender tried to secure deadline day exits but in the end they stayed put in the club's 'Bomb Squad'. Now, it is understood the PFA have intervened over how they are being looked after.
PFA concerned about Chelsea duo
According to BBC Sport, the PFA have contacted Chelsea as they want to ensure that Sterling and Disasi have the 'platform to train to an optimum level' despite not being involved with the first team. The union has sought to ensure clubs are aware of FIFA's strict regulations over players who are isolated from squads in circumstances that could fall under 'abusive conduct' by the club. If so, this may entitle an individual to terminate his contract, citing 'just cause'.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALUncertain future for Sterling and Disasi
Sterling's contract, which earns him £325,000 per week, runs until 2027, while Disasi's terms expire in 2029. The former nearly joined Fulham on loan, and the latter turned down a switch to West Ham earlier this month. Both are unlikely to have a future at Chelsea, with the pair unlikely to play first-team football for months.
Sterling and Disasi had summer offers
The report adds that Chelsea, who are closely working with the PFA, presented former Manchester City star Sterling with potential moves to Bayern Munich and Napoli over the summer. Bayer Leverkusen and Galatasaray were also interested, and Disasi decided against joining West Ham and Bournemouth.
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Getty ImagesWhat next for the Chelsea outcasts?
Both Sterling and Disasi are said to have been assigned specific training times and a designated Chelsea coach to work with at the club's training ground. Meanwhile, the first team travel to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Former Bayern Munich midfielder Lothar Matthaus has provided his thoughts ahead of the first matchday of the Champions League. According to the legendary former Germany international, Bayern Munich will be one of the seven favourites to clinch the coveted continental title this season, backing the Bavarians to overcome Club World Cup holders Chelsea in their opener on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich on fire as Chelsea find their stride
Bayern are one of the select few teams in the big five European Leagues to have a 100 per cent win record this season. Indeed, the Bavarians swat aside newly-promoted Hamburg 5-0 over the weekend to make it three wins in as many Bundesliga games. In those three games, Vincent Kompany's men have scored 14 goals and have conceded just twice.
On the other hand, Chelsea's start to their league campaign has been less ideal. After a goalless stalemate against Crystal Palace on the opening matchday, the Blues cruised to successive wins against West Ham and Fulham, before another draw – a dramatic 2-2 finish against Brentford.
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Matthaus predicts Bayern to beat Chelsea
Matthaus was quite optimistic about Die Roten's chances in the Champions League this season in his column for .
"For me, Bayern is one of the six best teams in Europe and among the teams that can win the title," asserted the ex-midfielder. "These include defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City and, to a lesser extent, Arsenal."
Previewing the encounter against Chelsea, Matthaus added: "Their opening opponent, Chelsea, may be the Club World Champions, but I expect Bayern to win at home. They will have learned their lesson from last season's Champions League, when they failed due to their poor conversion rate. In the 5-0 win against Hamburg on Saturday, Bayern slowed down after half an hour because they knew that the coming weeks would be physically demanding."
Chelsea rocked by injuries
Although Harry Kane claimed that the 2025-26 Bayern squad was "one of the smallest" he has ever played in, while complaining about lack of depth, it is, in fact, Enzo Maresca's side who might be feeling too "thin" ahead of their trip to Allianz Arena. Just days before the transfer deadline, new signing Liam Delap suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for at least another two months. Joao Pedro, in the words of the head coach, was not "fully fit" during the Brentford clash, coming off in the 79th minute. Meanwhile, youngsters Estevao and Dario Essugo are also dealing with problems. The dazzling Brazilian winger was left out of the squad for their trip to Gtech Community Stadium as Essugo was ruled out for the next three months due to a thigh injury.
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Bayern and Chelsea's upcoming league assignments
After locking horns on Wednesday evening, the two sides will return to domestic duty at the weekend. Both heavyweights play their next league games on Saturday, with Bayern taking on Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena, while Chelsea travelling to Old Trafford to take on an under-fire Manchester United.
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.”