New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner, their standout performer on the opening day of the second Test in Wellington, suffered a suspected dislocation of his left shoulder and was taken off the field on a stretcher.Tickner had earlier torn through West Indies’ batting with a four-wicket haul, but injured himself in the 67th over while attempting to prevent a boundary at fine leg. Chasing a flick from Tevin Imlach, he dived full-length near the rope and stayed down immediately, prompting concern from his team-mates. The medical staff from the New Zealand camp and the venue attended to him on the boundary edge before he was stretchered off – sitting upright – to warm applause from the Basin Reserve crowd.”He [Tickner] left the field with a left shoulder injury and was transported to hospital shortly afterwards,” NZC said in a release. “Once the medical team and local doctors have done their work with him an update will be fed back.”Related

• Henry, Santner, Nathan Smith ruled out of rest of WI Test series

Playing his first Test since early 2023, Tickner had been drafted into the XI for this match after injuries to Matt Henry and Nathan Smith in Christchurch. His 4 for 32 from 16 overs made him comfortably New Zealand’s best bowler on the day. His injury, however, adds to an already lengthy list of unavailable fast bowlers this series, which includes Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke and Matt Fisher.New Zealand are now facing the prospect of losing a third fast bowler mid-Test this series. They were similarly reduced in Christchurch, which had a knock-on effect and allowed West Indies to bat out for a draw. The setback also dampened the mood at the Basin Reserve among the fans and the New Zealand players, following what had been an upbeat second and third sessions for the hosts.Before being forced off, Tickner trapped Brandon King (33) and Kavem Hodge (0) lbw, used a sharp bouncer to dismiss Shai Hope for 48, and uprooted Roston Chase’s leg stump to put New Zealand firmly in control.Should Tickner be ruled out of the remainder of the match, it would be a major blow to an already inexperienced seam attack of Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and debutant Michael Rae. Remarkably, New Zealand’s top two wicket-takers in the Test so far are part-timers Glenn Phillips (31 Test wickets) and Kane Williamson (30).This Test is also New Zealand’s first in 13 years where they have fielded a seam-bowling unit with fewer than 50 career Test wickets between them – the last instance coming in Kingston in 2012, the match in which Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner first played together.

MatériaMais Notícias

Endrick jogará apenas mais uma partida pelo Palmeiras antes de se transferir ao Real Madrid. A despedida da joia será nesta quinta-feira (30), contra o San Lorenzo, no Allianz Parque, pela sexta e última rodada da fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores.

continua após a publicidade

Líder! Aposte R$ 100 e receba R$ 154 caso o Verdão vença o San Lorenzo pela Libertadores

Apesar de se apresentar à Seleção Brasileira apenas no dia 3 de junho, segunda-feira, para a disputada da Copa América, Endrick não estará à disposição de Abel Ferreira para o duelo contra o Criciúma, no sábado (2).

Isso porque o atacante recebeu o terceiro cartão amarelo contra o Athletico, o último antes da paralisação do Brasileirão em razão da enchentes no Rio Grande do Sul, e cumpre suspensão automática.

continua após a publicidade

Em sua despedida do Palmeiras, Endrick busca encerrar um jejum incômodo. O jogador não marca desde o dia 9 de maio, quando balançou as redes na vitória por 5 a 0 diante do Liverpool, do Uruguai, pela Libertadores.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Na atual temporada, o camisa participou de 21 partidas pela equipe paulista, sendo 20 delas como titular, marcou quatro gols e distribuiu duas assistências. Maior venda da história do Palmeiras, Endrick se apresenta ao Real Madrid após completar 18 anos, o que irá ocorrer durante a Copa América.

continua após a publicidade

RELEMBRE VALORES DA NEGOCIAÇÃO

Em dezembro de 2022, o Real Madrid acertou a compra de Endrick por 60 milhões de euros (R$ 337 milhões, na cotação da época), valor da multa rescisória do jogador.

Deste montante, 35 milhões de euros são fixos, com pagamento parcelado, e 25 milhões em bônus por metas. Além disso, a equipe espanhola concordou em bancar as taxas envolvidas na negociação: 12 milhões de euros. A somatória dos impostos com a multa rescisória (60 + 12) resulta nos 72 milhões de euros finais da transação.

Tudo sobre

EndrickFutebol NacionalLibertadoresPalmeirasSTARPLUS

After being considered "hour-to-hour" by coach John Schneider on Tuesday (via MLB reporter Keegan Matheson), the Blue Jays revealed outfielder George Springer's status for Game 4 just under two hours before the first pitch vs. the Dodgers.

Springer was not included in Toronto's initial lineup vs. Los Angeles. The Blue Jays star left Monday night's marathon 18-inning game in the seventh inning, hours before the game actually ended.

It was determined Springer left with right side discomfort, per MLB, and that he would be undergoing an MRI to learn the severity of the injury. Springer left the field after fouling off a pitch from Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski in the top of the seventh inning and did not return.

Springer normally leads off for the Blue Jays, so in his absence, Nathan Lukes will take the leadoff spot for Toronto in an important Game 4. The Dodgers now hold a 2–1 lead over the Blue Jays after the 6–5 win on Monday night. The Blue Jays will need to win on Tuesday night to even out the series and avoid being on the brink of losing.

Through the postseason thus far, Springer has registered 14 hits, 13 runs and four home runs, including a three-run homer that helped the Blue Jays win the ALCS over the Mariners in Game 7. He's averaged .246/.323/.561 through 14 postseason games.

أعلن نادي الزمالك، عن التوجه بطلب عاجل إلى الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم بشأن مباراة الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، أمام بلدية المحلة في كأس مصر.

وأوضح عبد الناصر محمد، مدير الكرة بنادي الزمالك، أن إدارة الكرة خاطبت اتحاد الكرة لتأجيل مباراة بلدية المحلة، التي كانت مقررة السبت 27 ديسمبر الجاري في كأس مصر.

طالع.. مواعيد مباريات دور الـ16 من كأس مصر ومؤجلات دور الـ32

ويلتقي الزمالك مع بلدية المحلة ضمن منافسات دور الـ 32 من بطولة كأس مصر موسم 2025-2026، على ملعب استاد المقاولون العرب.

وأفاد عبد الناصر، أن اتحاد الكرة وافق على تأجيل اللاعب وأخطر النادي رسميًا بإقامة اللقاء يوم الأحد 28 ديسمبر في الثانية والنصف عصرًا.

جاء طلب الزمالك بسبب ارتباط الفريق بخوض مباراة سموحة المقرر لها يوم 25 ديسمبر الجاري في كأس عاصمة مصر.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is stuck between a rock and a hard place after Mohamed Salah’s extraordinary outburst in the wake of the Reds’ 3-3 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Having led 2-0 after the hour mark, Liverpool succumbed to recurrences of fragile defending and weak mentalities, and Salah’s comments were fuelled by frustration after sitting on the bench for the third successive game, this time not entering the field at all.

But the Egyptian attacker’s narrative-stealing invective has turned attention away from the latest woes from Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, the former making yet another mistake and the captain’s collapse in confidence and composure laid bare – barer – at the weekend.

Pundit Jamie Redknapp believes the centre-backs are “playing like they’ve never met each other before”, and it’s crucial that Slot finds a way to solve this problem that is threatening to swallow the Premier League champions whole.

Liverpool need to fix their defence

With Liverpool’s star defenders flattering to deceive, it’s only natural that FSG should consider signing a new man this winter. That botched bid for Marc Guehi at the end of the summer transfer window continues to look more detrimental for Slot and Liverpool’s season.

The need for a centre-back is great, but Liverpool’s midfield has been well below standard this season, and a robust and physical force might bear dividends in Slot’s plan to rekindle balance and make his side more compact, harder to play through.

As per Football Insider, Atalanta’s Ederson has been earmarked as the candidate, FSG having been informed they could strike a deal for the 26-year-old in January.

A bid worth £50m could do the trick. Liverpool have the facilities for such an offer, and it is one they must make to arrest this disastrous slump.

What Ederson would offer Liverpool

Slot is a man on the brink. What only months ago looked like the foundation of a dynasty could now collapse like a house of cards, with so many things having gone wrong at Anfield.

In isolation, Ryan Gravenberch hasn’t been poor this season, but he’s struggling to combine with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai and create a balanced and efficient central unit.

This is one of the many issues Slot has yet to find the answer for, and if he is to restore Liverpool’s equilibrium and get the centre-backs operating at their maximum once more, it might be a centre-midfielder who needs to be signed.

Ederson could be the perfect man for the job. Reporter Carlo Garganese described the Brazilian as a “machine” of a midfielder when Gian Piero Gasperini led Atalanta to the Europa League title, severing Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten run.

The South American enforcer packs a more powerful punch than any of Liverpool’s current midfield options, and he’s mobile and balanced in his midfield performance too, ranking among the top 8% of Serie A midfielders this season for pass completion, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 5% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

He is a combative, ground-covering midfielder, and his impetus on progressing play could see him provide the coating Liverpool’s defence needs to turn things around, helping cover Konate’s weakness in the build-up and providing legs to ensure Van Dijk, 34, can settle in his defensive berth.

Minutes played

90′

90′

Touches

62

83

Shots (on target)

1 (1)

1 (0)

Accurate passes

40/49 (82%)

57/62 (92%)

Chances created

0

0

Dribbles

0/0

0/0

Ball recoveries

4

1

Tackles won

1/2

0/0

Interceptions

0

1

Clearances

4

15

Duels won

7/10

12/14

Italian content creator Damiano Coccia has even claimed that Ederson is “the strongest defensive midfielder in the world”, so it’s clear to see why he would be such a brilliant addition for an Anfield side in disrepair.

Against Leeds, Van Dijk and Konate combined for an abject second-half display, and this is exactly the type of player who would stop the rot and bring Liverpool back into the ascendancy.

His athleticism and tough-tackling nature would help Van Dijk and Konate play their way back into form.

Salah upgrade: Liverpool prepare British record bid to sign £131m magician

Mohamed Salah may leave Liverpool in January after an extraordinary outburst at Elland Road.

ByAngus Sinclair 4 days ago

Everton are now reportedly racing to sign a La Liga star ahead of both Leeds United and Juventus in the January transfer window.

Everton join race to sign Conor Gallagher

La Liga seems to be where it’s at for Everton ahead of the January transfer window, with reports now claiming that they’ve joined the race to sign Conor Gallagher.

The Ateltico Madrid midfielder has put the Premier League on high alert as he looks to leave the Spanish club this winter, and Everton could yet secure his signature.

A move for the England international would highlight the progress that the Toffees have made since moving into the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Currently sat 10th, David Moyes’ side are just three points off Chelsea in fourth and there’s every chance that they could push for a shock European place if their current form continues.

It’s worth noting that Gallagher’s not the only one on Friedkin’s radar ahead of January, either. The Toffees are in search of reinforcements across the pitch, perhaps starting with their frontline.

Whilst Thierno Barry is beginning to show glimpses of his quality, he remains without a goal after securing a £27m move from Villarreal in the summer. As such, Everton have reportedly set their sights on signing Franculino Dju ahead of Bayern Munuch.

Then comes the task of adding to Moyes’ backline and that has reportedly seen club chiefs turn their focus towards welcoming impressive Real Betis centre-back Natan.

Everton join race to sign Natan

As reported in Spain, Everton are now ready to compete in the race to sign Natan against both Leeds United and Juventus. The Real Betis defender has impressed in La Liga this season and is set to cost any potential suitor around €40m (£35m) in the January transfer window.

Dubbed a “physical” centre-back by Como scout Ben Mattinson, the South American has already played in Italy with Napoli and Spain with Real Betis. Now, a Premier League move could be calling, as Everton and Leeds do battle for his signature.

Related Everton could sign "one of the best left-backs in the world" for just £25m

The Toffees could look to re-sign one of their former players and have several formulas ready to acquire him.

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Nov 30, 2025

Standing at 6’2, the 24-year-old would certainly fit the part at Everton, who have a number of aerial dominators in Moyes’ backline as it is. There’s every chance that Natan would receive the game time that he’s after, too, given that Jarrad Branthwaite continues to struggle with injuries.

If the Toffees are to push into the European places this season then further investment will be the key. Whether it’s Natan, Gallagher or Dju in January, Friedkin would be wise to repeat their summer work and add quality in depth to Moyes’ side this winter.

Everton eyeing up move to sign former-Liverpool star who's been "fantastic"

The bowling combination and the identity of their reserve batters are in focus at the start of the home season

Karthik Krishnaswamy23-Sep-20251:48

Chopra: Don’t see Bumrah playing the first Test

On Wednesday, India will pick a 15-member squad for the two-Test home series against West Indies, which begins on October 2 in Ahmedabad. It’s a deceptively tricky selection, with India about to feel the full force of R Ashwin’s retirement for the first time (he didn’t miss even one of India’s 65 home Tests during his career), with Jasprit Bumrah’s workload still needing to be managed, and with questions still lingering from the unexpected, unprecedented 3-0 defeat to New Zealand last year. Here are five that Ajit Agarkar’s selection panel will need to answer.

Pick Bumrah or rest him?

The first Test in Ahmedabad begins four days after the final of the Asia Cup, which India have an excellent chance of featuring in. Four members of their Asia Cup squad – Test captain Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Bumrah – would ordinarily be certainties in a Test squad for a home series, but the circumstances around one of them are far from ordinary.Bumrah only played three out of five matches in India’s last Test series, in England, and that ratio of participation looks set to continue into the foreseeable future given his history of serious back injuries. So do India pick Bumrah for both Tests against West Indies, or just one of them? Or do they rest him for the entire series?In a similar situation a year or two ago, India may not have found it especially difficult to rest Bumrah. But their bowling resources at the moment aren’t quite what they’re used to having in home conditions. There’s the absence of Ashwin, for one, though you would expect a spin attack of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep, Washington Sundar and Axar to cope with it.Jasprit Bumrah in action•Getty ImagesLast year’s defeat to New Zealand may have led India to ponder the kind of pitches they want to play their home Tests on, and potentially prompt a shift away from square turners to flatter surfaces that produce bigger first-innings totals. Any such shift, however, will also mean a bigger role for the fast bowlers. And India could have issues on that front if Bumrah isn’t around.India haven’t felt the overt impact of phasing out Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav – for so long their go-to quicks in home Tests – but it’s not hard to imagine a situation in the near future where they feel a desperate need for a bit of experience and know-how with an old ball on a bare surface. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep have only played 19 home Tests between them, and Prasidh Krishna is yet to play one.Related

• Rishabh Pant to miss home Tests against West Indies

India would dearly love to have Bumrah in this scenario, but against this desire they will have to weigh the demands of a packed schedule. After this series India have a white-ball tour of Australia in October-November followed by an all-format home series against South Africa, and then a white-ball series against New Zealand in early 2026 in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup in February-March.

Is there room for Nitish Kumar Reddy?

Over his first seven Tests in Australia and England, Nitish Kumar Reddy gave India a glimpse of the high-ceiling seam-bowling allrounder he could become in the future. He’s an exceedingly useful player even in the present when India travel away from Asia, but do they need him in home conditions?In Jadeja, Washington and Axar, India have three high-quality spin-bowling allrounders for Indian pitches. A fourth allrounder who might not bowl all that much could be hard to fit into a squad of 15. But given the push for batting depth that’s defined Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach so far, India may still try hard to find a place for Reddy.This could mean picking either one fewer middle-order batter in the squad, or one fewer frontline seamer.2:05

Is there a role for Nitish Kumar Reddy in home Tests?

What happens to Abhimanyu Easwaran?

Abhimanyu Easwaran has played 31 first-class games for India A, captained them eight times, and been part of five Test squads, but he’s yet to get his hands on the Test cap. Now it seems likely that he won’t be part of the squad for the West Indies series, because there may not be room for a specialist reserve opener.With Rishabh Pant ruled out with the foot injury he sustained in England, Dhruv Jurel looks set to be India’s first-choice keeper in Ahmedabad, with N Jagadeesan – who joined the team in England after Pant was sidelined – as his understudy.Jagadeesan can also open the batting, and he’s been in terrific form doing that. His last two first-class games, at the time of writing, have brought him 197 and 52* for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy and 64 for India A against Australia A, in a match where he alternated keeping duties with Jurel.Abhimanyu opened with Jagadeesan in that India A game, and made 44. When KL Rahul came into the India A side in the second unofficial Test against Australia A, he replaced Abhimanyu rather than Jagadeesan. A clear sign of things to come?Devdutt Padikkal has been in good form since recovering from a hamstring injury•PTI

Who are the reserve batters?

If they’re all fit, six of India’s top seven pick themselves: Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill, Jurel, Jadeja and Washington. That leaves the No. 3 slot, for which the incumbent B Sai Sudharsan appears the frontrunner, having firmed up his credentials with a 73 in the first unofficial Test against Australia A.If India also pick Reddy in their squad, it leaves either no space for another middle-order batter, or just one spot, depending on how many fast bowlers they pick.That one spot, if it exists, could go to Devdutt Padikkal, who was ruled out of the England tour after injuring his hamstring during the IPL. Padikkal, who made his Test debut against England last year in Dharamsala, also played the first Test of the 2024-25 Australia tour in Perth – he wasn’t part of India’s original squad there, but was added to it following impressive performances on the shadow India A tour.Padikkal has been among the runs since recovering from the hamstring injury, scoring 57 for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy and 150 for India A in the first unofficial Test against Australia A.If Padikkal is picked, it would be at the expense of his Karnataka team-mate Karun Nair, who played four of the five Tests in England but was ruled out of contention for the India A squad by a finger injury. Nair had a strange tour of England, getting to 20 in five of his eight innings but only managing a top score of 57. There were periods of pristine strokeplay, but also uncertain moments against the rising ball, and India may have expected better returns overall from a 33-year-old making a comeback in good batting conditions.Sarfaraz Khan could have been in contention for this middle-order role too, but the Mumbai batter has been out of action since May, and has been recuperating from an injury – quadriceps, according to reports – at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.Sourav Ganguly presented Akash Deep with an award for his performance in England•Garima Agarwal

How many fast bowlers, and who?

Given that West Indies’ biggest strength is their fast bowling, it is unlikely that conditions in either Ahmedabad or Delhi will have too much help for the quicks. Given this, India are unlikely to play more than two seamers in their XI, which means their squad is likely to contain no more than four frontline quicks – potentially just three plus Reddy.Whether Bumrah is one of them remains to be seen. Siraj, Prasidh and Akash Deep, the other three frontline quicks who played at least three Tests each in England, would be the main names in contention now, but one of them has struggled with fitness issues over recent months.Akash Deep was less than fully fit during two of the three Tests he played in England, and has been out of action since his return. He was originally part of the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy but missed the tournament after being advised rest – he later told that he was dealing with an “impact” injury that he suffered in England and not a fresh one. There is a chance that his lack of recent match time – he isn’t part of the India A squad either – could count against his selection, at least for the first Test.Siraj and Prasidh, the heroes of India’s series-levelling win at The Oval, are playing the unofficial Tests against Australia A, and have no known fitness issues.If India don’t pick Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, who were part of India’s squad in England and are currently at the Asia Cup, could come into the picture. Punjab’s towering Gurnoor Brar, whom India called up as a net bowler ahead of the Test series against Bangladesh last year, and who is currently playing for India A, is a possible left-field selection.

Possible India squad for two-Test series against West Indies

Shubman Gill (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah (possibly for one Test only), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Devdutt Padikkal, N Jagadeesan (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy/Akash Deep/Arshdeep Singh.

The Apertura 2025 final features the two teams that set the pace all season. Toluca topped the table with 37 points and rolled past FC Juárez and Monterrey, while Tigres finished just behind them on 36 before ousting Xolos and Cruz Azul. Now, Antonio Mohamed’s Diablos chase a bicampeonato and a 12th star, as Guido Pizarro’s Tigres look to claim their ninth league title.

Getty Images SportWhat’s at stake?

The first leg will be played Thursday at Estadio Universitario, the always-demanding home of Tigres. The return match follows Sunday at Estadio Nemesio Diez – one of Liga MX’s most intimidating venues and a true “Infierno” where Antonio Mohamed’s Toluca has been nearly untouchable. Both sides will face hostile conditions, but the title may ultimately hinge on who handles the heat in Toluca.

AdvertisementAFPHistory on the line

A Toluca championship would secure the club’s 12th league crown, pulling the Red Devils level with Chivas as the second-most decorated team in Liga MX history. Tigres, meanwhile, are pushing for a ninth title – a milestone that would move them past Cruz Azul and further cement their status as a modern powerhouse.

Two contenders with heavyweight ambitions now stand one series away from Apertura 2025 glory.

Getty Images SportKey to Success

Tigres – Key to Success
Guido Pizarro’s side must contain Toluca’s attacking firepower and prove why they finished the Apertura 2025 as the league’s best defense, allowing only 16 goals. However, their road form remains a concern: they lost 3-0 to in the first leg of the quarterfinals and drew 1-1 at Cruz Azul in the semifinal opener. Tigres must be a significantly better visiting team if they want to lift the trophy on Sunday at Toluca’s fortress.

Toluca – Key to Success
Toluca enter the final as slight favorites. They have been the most consistent and well-balanced team in Liga MX throughout 2025. Their only major concern is the possible absence of their best player, Alexis Vega, who has yet to recover from an injury that has sidelined him for the entire Liguilla. His absence would be a significant blow, but Antonio Mohamed has managed the playoffs impressively without him. Even so, Vega’s potential return – whether in the first leg or the decisive match – could tilt the balance in Toluca’s favor.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPPlayers to Watch

Player to Watch: Juan Brunetta
The Argentine playmaker has been one of Tigres’ most decisive threats this postseason, scoring three goals – including two in the dramatic 5-0 comeback against Xolos and another in the clinching win over Cruz Azul. Alongside Ángel Correa, Brunetta is a true difference-maker capable of tilting the final on his own.

Player to Watch: Paulinho
The Portuguese striker captured his third straight Liga MX Golden Boot and has added two more goals in the playoffs. Toluca will lean heavily on his finishing in the final, as Paulinho’s form could be the factor that determines whether the Diablos claim another league title.

There are a number of permutations Australia’s selectors are mulling over as a decision on the first Test squad looms

Andrew McGlashan22-Oct-2025There’s a one-day series going on against India, but the main topic of conversation in Australian cricket is what the selectors will do with the squad for the first Ashes Test in Perth. Decision day is looming with one more round of Sheffield Shield to be played and while a few things are becoming clearer the big calls are still to be made.The fitness of Pat Cummins looms large over everything. But on the assumption he misses at least the first Test, which is all-but certain, and Scott Boland slots into the attack, the major talking points around the final XI will remain the top order. Here we run through three potential scenarios that George Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and head coach Andrew McDonald will be pondering. There is also a chance that the squad announcement won’t clarify everything, with the final calls not taken until the eve of the first Test.Option 1: One in, one outIf the only spot vacant is an opener, then Marnus Labuschagne’s irresistible claims for a recall will see him go in at the top alongside Usman Khawaja as he did in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s. That was a last-ditch move from the selectors, basically honouring Labuschagne’s role in getting them to the final, and he was dropped the Test after. He will be in much better form heading into the Perth Test should the role come his way again.”He can open…he can bat three. He’s versatile,” Steven Smith said. “We’ll see where it all stands when the team gets picked. I mean, it’s not too different to batting three, to be honest. He could be in first ball. So, it’s essentially the same thing.”This team also means Beau Webster’s bowling is retained which would take the pressure of Cameron Green to send down too many overs as he continues to work his way back with the ball even if his withdrawal from the India ODIs was described as a conservative decision. It keeps Green at No. 3 where he finished the West Indies series with scores of 52, 46 and 42 in tough batting conditions.Webster has missed the first two rounds of the Sheffield Shield after rolling his ankle but will feature against Victoria in Melbourne and last week Bailey confirmed he would be part of the Test squad.Could Jake Weatherald make his Test debut?•Getty ImagesOption 2: Marnus at No. 3, Webster unluckyWhile it’s often said there is very little difference between opening and No. 3, Labuschagne’s position is No. 3. If there was a decision made that he has to return in that slot, then an opener is still needed. That creates a few scenarios.Sam Konstas has been unconvincing in two Shield rounds, but a big score against Queensland, at a Test venue in the Gabba, would be an interesting twist. Uncapped Jake Weatherald has played arguably the most significant innings so far among the contenders with 94 off 99 balls in a low-scoring contest against Western Australia. Matt Renshaw started the season with a century for Queensland and has since earned an ODI recall. Would runs against India in the next two games be of any significance? And then there’s Mitch Marsh…This balance of top order would see Green move back down to No. 6 and require the selectors to have complete confidence in him being able to operate close to, if not completely, unrestricted as a bowler so that he can ease the burden on the three frontline quicks. If that was the case, Webster would very unfortunately be sidelined.Steven Smith averages 67.07 at No.3 but hasn’t batted there since 2017•Getty ImagesOption 3: Positional shiftsThis XI is the same as option one but with a subtle shift in the order. Smith returns to No. 3 and Green drops one spot to No. 4, where he made 174 against New Zealand early last year before his back injury. It’s an outcome endorsed by a number of pundits, including Mark Waugh, who believe that it is Green’s natural position.”I think he can bat anywhere,” Smith said of Green. “As he showed in the West Indies, I thought he batted really nicely at three. You know, he’s got a really good technique, good temperament. The beauty with our line-up, I think everyone can sort of slot in at different spots and be versatile.”Smith, meanwhile, has averaged 67.07 from 29 innings at No. 3 but, while on Tuesday he said he wasn’t “too fussed” about batting orders, he may be reluctant to shift again after the opening experiment.What would you do? Have your sayWhat could changeWhichever batting line-up Australia settle on for Perth, there’s a very good chance it’s not the one which finishes the series in Sydney. If Khawaja struggles early on it will raise questions about whether Australia need to bite the bullet and find opener. And what happens if Labuschagne is picked to open and starts poorly in the first two Tests? There are also, probably unfairly given his early success, still a few questions asked about whether Webster’s technique will stand-up long term in Test cricket. Josh Inglis is a versatile batter who the selectors value highly and he would come into the mix should anyone struggle or be injured.