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England’s ego-less attack leader found a way to stay relevant but it wasn’t the cut-and-thrust of old

Vithushan Ehantharajah12-Jul-20252:12

Manjrekar: ‘Pretty mediocre how England bowled in first session’

There are a few for fast bowlers. Two of them are bowling with the wicketkeeper up and celebrating wickets down the leg side.Chris Woakes has ticked off both in India’s first innings. On Friday, looking to keep Shubman Gill in his crease, Jamie Smith donned a helmet to intercept Woakes’ deliveries at the earliest point. Here on day three, Smith was sprawled out on the Lord’s turf while Woakes continued in his follow-through, not even bothering with a cursory turn to the umpire for his appeal.Icks are broadly nonsense, of course. Merely an alert that anyone who uses the term sincerely is emotionally stunted and void of empathy. But there’s something to be said for the fact that Woakes – the leader of this England pace attack, for so long a standard-setter on skill, whose aesthetics have evolved with a hint of Captain America with silverfox tints – would be willing to indulge in turn-offs others may seek to avoid.”Sometimes as a bowler, you’ve got to take your ego out of it,” Joe Root said of Saturday’s keeper-up scenario. If ever there was a man willing to park ego for the good of the team, it’s Woakes.A decent wobble-seam delivery to Gill, who was clearly tetchy with Smith breathing down his neck, was nicked. The India captain, leading runscorer in the series by a distance already, was dismissed for just 16, of the back of his twin scores of 269 and 161 at Edgbaston last week.And in the dregs of Saturday, with India 13 behind, on Woakes came with the second new ball 29 overs old. Another attempt at a wobble-seam came out on the wrong line, nipping up the slope and down Ravindra Jadeja’s leg side. Except the left-hander’s lazy flick brought the end of his knock on 72, ending a frustrating 113-ball stand on 50.It would be the first of India’s final four wickets to fall for just 11 runs, a collapse that ensured the first three days of this Test have been, largely, for nothing. Not for Woakes, mind. Another in the cascade – Jasprit Bumrah caught behind – gave him 3 for 84, and a doubling of his dismissals for the series.It was a deserved haul in many ways. Woakes was typically un-shy of doing his bit. No bowler on either side sent down more than his 27 overs in the first innings, and only the spinner Shoaib Bashir has delivered more than the 109 he has so far this series. Bumrah, rested for the second Test, ticked over to 27 in this match with one second-innings over this evening.Related

• 'Disappointing for both of us' – Rahul says rush for century led to Pant run-out

• Big-game Stokes pushes his limits to keep England alive

• No more Mr Nice Guy, as Woakes shows his inner steel

• Gillnetting: Woakes and Smith make England's grand plan work

• Gill loses temper as England run down the clock

When Woakes was not bowling, he was assisting with advice or simply just encouragement from mid-on and mid-off, as well as taking on ball-shining duties. And yet, to watch Woakes operate in India’s first innings was to slowly realise we might be witnessing the beginning of the end.That, primarily, is down to pace. Woakes averaged 81mph on Friday, with the delivery that snared Gill clocking in at 80mph. The awry 79mph ball that brought about Jadeja’s downfall was one of the quickest he sent down on Saturday, during which he averaged 78.9mph.The snap seems to be missing. It was evident in patches over the last two Tests, notably the first morning on his home ground. His misfortune in Birmingham – a solitary wicket in an opening spell worthy of three – proved to be England’s as they eventually fell to defeat. Now, that energy into and off the surface is absent, and it is not squarely on a Lord’s pitch that has been too dry to be sprightly.After Woakes had bowled just six of the opening 20 overs with the first new ball, the second was given to Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse. Both represent a not-too-distant future beyond Woakes. In his first appearance in more than four years, Archer has already shown he has the consistency and zip off the surface to do what Woakes does, allied with high pace.Carse, having impressed with his new-ball skills at Edgbaston, has also offered plenty with the bat. His maiden half-century was a measured and timely knock, and has already eclipsed Woakes’ exploits. Despite a handy 38 at Headingley, Woakes has offered little of the protection he was supposed to bring as the third ‘allrounder’, after Ben Stokes and Smith. A first-innings golden duck reduced Woakes’ series average to 12.50 in the series – No.11 Shoaib Bashir’s is 14.Of course, it is no great leap to suggest a 36-year old may be moving to the end of his career. That a bowler who laughed at the suggestion he might last as long as James Anderson – 41 upon his retirement at the start of last summer – is realising his mortality in front of our eyes.That Anderson was given a swansong on this very ground brings a little more context to all this.It is here at Lord’s that Woakes has adorned all three honours board. His duck ironically put him in even more exclusive company as one of four to register a first-baller, after making it onto all three honours boards, for five-fors, 10-fors and hundreds.A bowling average of 12.90 here coming into this match has now risen to 14.20, which is not all that dramatic. But beyond the context of the series, his career average is trending the wrong way (29.33 at the moment), having forced it down to 27.84 last summer.When Anderson followed Stuart Broad into retirement in back-to-back home Tests spanning the summers of 2023 and 2024, Woakes was handed a double promotion of sorts. The opening-bowler slot came with the job of pack leader. He has been more than worthy of both roles, but he was never truly going to occupy them for more than a couple of years.The Ashes this winter looks increasingly unlikely. His average of 51.68 in Australia tells a story of overseas struggle that the man himself has acknowledged. But the suggestion from the England management was that he could yet provide a valuable role on spicier pitches Down Under, with a “friendlier” Kookaburra ball for English fingers. He seemed to have a role to play.Alas, it might be that Woakes has walked into the sunset before England walk onto the plane for their trip to the other side of the world. He is far too humble to assume any occasion as his own – Anderson did so reluctantly, of course – but that has made these last two days feel like a game occasionally looking at the clock while a career grips its coat. These have been the first hums of a subdued goodbye.Two-and-a-half Tests remain, enough time to bow out on his own terms. Those terms, rather than choosing if or when to announce any goodbye, are primarily geared towards affecting this series in a meaningful way.Even this Test, with runs now at a premium in a second-innings shootout, requires Woakes to provide, especially given the importance of the new ball. The end might be coming, but it’s not here yet.

Major League Baseball's home-run leader, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, smacked his 43rd homer of the season Friday night in a huge spot.

He stepped up to the plate as the Mariners trailed the Rays 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and two runners on base. Ahead in the count 2-0, he received an 87-mph sweeper low in the zone from newly acquired Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax. Raleigh sent the pitch 417 feet and over the fence at T-Mobile Park to give the Mariners the late lead.

After the ball hit Raleigh's bat, Jax raised his arm in the air to direct his defense which became a hilarious moment since it flew far over the center-field fence.

In Jax's defense, it wasn't exactly a no-doubt home run and he didn't appear to put his pointer finger in the air, likely because he quickly realized Raleigh just hit a game-changing homer off him. Still, a funny moment nonetheless. After the three-run shot ended up in a 3-2 loss for the Rays, Jax acknowledged he put himself in a bad spot, getting behind on one of baseball's best hitters.

"There’s a reason he’s having a really good year," Jax said of Raleigh postgame via MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. "He’s a really good hitter. I’ve had a couple at-bats against him this year that have gone my way, so he’s seen me now three or four times. When I put myself in a hole 2-0, good hitters do that."

Raleigh's 43rd homer on the year widened his lead on Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber who has hit 41. In the American League, the next closest players to the "Big Dumper" are his new teammate Eugenio Suárez and Yankees star Aaron Judge, who have 37 homers apiece this season.

Mujeeb had broken the stumps with his towel while Noor had shown dissent when the umpire adjudged one of his deliveries to be a wide

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2025Afghanistan spinners Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have been handed a demerit point each for breaching Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct during the Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.Noor was found to have breached Article 2.8 which indicated “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match” while Mujeeb was charged with breaching Article 2.2, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match.”Mujeeb had broken the stumps with his towel during the match. Noor had shown dissent in the 16th over of Sri Lanka’s innings when the umpire adjudged one of his deliveries to be a wide.On-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Virender Sharma, third umpire Faisal Afridi and fourth umpire Rohan Pandit levelled the charge. Both players admitted to their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Richie Richardson, so there was no need for formal hearings.Afghanistan’s Asia Cup campaign came to an end after they lost to Sri Lanka by six wickets. Both Noor and Mujeeb picked up a wicket each in the game.

Newcastle United's midfield general, Sandro Tonali, might return to his former club, AC Milan, in the future. The potential comeback was hinted at by the player and pundits alike before Italy's World Cup qualifier against Norway, which was played at the San Siro, the home of Milan and Inter. Having represented the club for multiple seasons, his return is much anticipated by Rossoneri fans too.

• Tonali an important member at Newcastle and Italy

  Since his move to Newcastle in the summer of 2023, and facing a ban sometime later, Tonali has regained his position in the lineup, and under head coach Eddie Howe, has established himself as a vital cog in the system. Even for Italy, after debuting under Roberto Mancini back in 2019, he is now the go-to man for Gennaro Gattuso, as well as for the former manager Luciano Spalletti. Tonali recently featured in the World Cup qualifier against Moldova, which Italy won thanks to two late goals. After the game, the midfielder reflected on his potential return to the San Siro for the national team.  

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  What did Tonali say?

  After defeating Moldova, Tonali said about returning to San Siro, where he spent three seasons: "Exciting. The last time I was there was almost three years ago. Every time I return there in my career, I will be excited. I can’t say I experience it like the first time, but it will always be like returning for the second time." 

  Post these comments, journalist Carlo Pellegatti revealed Tonali's ambitions on his YouTube channel (via Sport Witness). As per the Italian media, the 25-year-old wants to return to Milan and also captain the side. However, such a move is not expected to develop in the next few years, since he is contracted to Newcastle until 2029, and acquiring his services would demand a hefty transfer fee. 

• Italian media ignites hopes of Tonali's potential return

  Rising to the limelight at Brescia, Tonali caught the attention of Milan, whose recruiters initially signed him on loan in 2020. After bossing their midfield for a season, the 25-year-old was signed on a permanent deal in 2021, and thereby spent two successive seasons commanding the middle third and acting as the defensive shield.  However, in 2023, he was bagged in by Newcastle, with a lucrative transfer fee. As per Pellegatti, he is sure that Tonali would once again return to the club that helped him gain prominence in European football. He said, "I’m quite sure, not next year or the next few years, Milan doesn’t have the money for Tonali’s transfer fee and salary. I’m sure though that he will return to Milan, he wants to return to Milan. I don’t know at what age, but he wants to end his career at Milan, maybe even as captain."

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  What comes next for Tonali?

  After playing the entire game against Moldova on Thursday, Tonali was excluded from the matchday squad for the Norway clash at San Siro. Tonali would now return to the Newcastle camp, with important domestic and continental fixtures lined up for the Italian defensive midfielder. Placed 14th in the Premier League, with 12 points from 11 games, the Magpies need to return to winning ways after the international break. Their last fixture before the break was against Brentford, which they lost 3-1. They will resume action on November 22 against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, and the following week will face Marseille in the Champions League and Everton in the English top flight. While these fixtures will pose an immense challenge to Tonali and his teammates, Howe will hope for a turnaround like no other. 

  The Magpies' position in the continental showpiece is by far the better. They are placed sixth with three wins and one loss in four games. A matchup against 25th-placed Marseille might be the match that Howe will target as the game-changer of the season. Moreover, a win over the French outfit will elevate their status over City and Paris Saint-Germain, in case the duo drop points in that week.

England talisman would not be drawn on his chances of hauling in Tendulkar’s record

Matt Roller26-Jul-20254:12

Pope: Root can chase down Tendulkar

Joe Root described becoming the second-highest run-scorer in Test history as a “pinch-yourself moment” but would not be drawn into a discussion on his chances of hauling in Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Root overtook Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting in the all-time list during his 150 against India in Manchester and now sits 2512 runs behind Tendulkar’s aggregate of 15,921.Root has consistently played down the significance of the records that he has broken in recent years, including becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Multan last year. But he conceded that it was “pretty cool” to see his name near the top of a list featuring the batters that he tried to emulate as a boy.”When you look at the names there on that list, they are all people that, as a kid growing up, that’s who I would try to be in the garden, on the street, on the driveway, at my local club,” Root told Sky Sports. “One day I’d try to be Ricky Ponting, the next I’d try to be Kumar Sangakkara or Brian Lara.Related

• Joe Root, the Peter Pan of batting, has pulled ahead of Cook and Pietersen. Will he reel Tendulkar in?

• Superman Stokes puts England in command but Rahul, Gill keep India in the fight

• Stats – Root second only to Tendulkar for most Test runs

• Root marches on towards Test summit

“I’d pretend that I was in different parts of the world, scoring Test-match hundreds. Even just to be mentioned in the same sentence as these guys is a bit of a pinch-yourself moment. It is pretty cool, yeah.”Root played against Tendulkar only once, on his Test debut in Nagpur in 2012, and is now closer to his record tally than any batter in history. “It’s not something that I will focus on,” he told the BBC. “Those sorts of things should look after themselves. The focus has to be about winning games.”He made his Test debut before I was born. To be playing on the same ground as him and to get the chance to play against him was incredibly cool. [He was] someone you grew up watching, admiring, trying to learn from… To get to play in a series where he was still playing was really quite a memorable experience that I’ll never forget.”Root only briefly acknowledged the standing ovation for the single that took him past Ponting on Friday and said he had tried to avoid focusing on his record. “I can’t avoid it,” he joked. “They [the numbers] are everywhere, aren’t they? But you try to put it out of your mind. It is easy to get caught up in this stuff… You’re not doing your job if you’re concentrating on yourself.”4:14

Manjrekar: ‘Serious chance’ for Root to break Tendulkar’s record

He added: “It’s something that I’ll look back on at the end of my career rather than right now… It was a really cool day, something I’ll try to take in properly and appreciate what I’ve achieved, but there’s so much important cricket still to be playing within this series, within this game, and obviously in the next little while, so that’s the main focus right now.”Root has reached new heights as a batter since the Covid-19 pandemic: in the last five years, he has averaged 55.33 and has scored 21 of his 38 centuries. He said that he had used the unexpected break to analyse his batting, and that he has approached the game “slightly differently” ever since.”For the start of my career, a lot of [my approach] was based on my technique: where my hands are, where my head is, am I lined up, is my trigger right? Whereas in this second phase of things, it’s been more about managing risk, and thinking, ‘how can I eliminate as many modes of dismissal as possible, with the highest output?'”It does come through experience; it comes from trial and error [and] from getting things wrong. You’ve got to see the game for what it is. It’s very easy to get caught up, get too emotional, either get too hard on yourself or feel too sorry for yourself. You’ve got to see it for what it is, be very honest about it, and then just try to put that into practice.”

Gary Neville has named why Manchester United teammate Nani “frustrated” him the most, but admitted he would still get in any Premier League team right now.

Neville criticises Man Utd’s current "ageing" spine

United appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks, having won three successive matches for the first time under Ruben Amorim before Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest.

However, Neville appeared on The Overlap’s Stick to Cricket show and had some criticism for the team’s “ageing” spine.

He said: “I think your spine of a football team is critical. When I first came into Man United, our spine was (Peter) Schmeichel, (Steve) Bruce, (Gary) Pallister, (Roy) Keane and (Eric) Cantona and so we were all scattered around it.

“I think Maguire and (Matthijs) De Ligt should be doing a lot better than they are. You know, you look at the experience that those two have got. De Ligt’s played a mountain of games at sort of different levels, the highest level. Harry’s played so many times for England. You’ve got the midfield, Casemiro and Bruno have got massive experience.

“Up front, they haven’t got the experience. But to me, that spine of Bruno Fernandes (31), Casemiro (33), Maguire (32) and De Ligt (26) is ageing, but should be doing a lot better at holding it all together than they do.”

Man Utd have a "beast" in the academy who's another Casemiro in the making

Manchester United would benefit from the emergence of the next Carrington superstar this season.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 5, 2025

Neville names Nani most frustrating Man Utd teammate

Neville was also asked by ex-England cricket captain Micheal Vaughan for the player who frustrated him the most during his career.

The former Man Utd right-back chose Nani, saying he was “erratic” but a winger who “could win you games”.

The Portuguese forward made the move to Old Trafford in 2007 and spent eight years in Manchester, making 230 appearances in all competitions in a United shirt.

He contributed to more than 100 goals during that time, winning four Premier League titles and one Champions League.

It isn’t just Neville who found Nani frustrating, with Wayne Rooney also calling the forward his worst Red Devils teammate.

“My worst team-mate – there are a lot more than you’d probably think. On the pitch, the toughest one was Nani. He was frustrating to play with.”

Gary Neville names the best Premier League XI of all-time with no Man Utd legends

The New York Mets beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 on Thursday. Starting pitcher David Peterson went 6 2/3 innings and only gave up one run on five hits. By all accounts, it was a quality performance. Including the account of his son, who stole a microphone from SNY's Steve Gelbs during his postgame media availability.

While he didn't grab it with the force or conviction that Riley Curry did once upon a time, Peterson's son did look like a natural with the mic in his hands and it was a truly adorable moment as his father had to ask him to give it back.

It turns out Gelbs has really been hitting it off with the younger Mets fans this week. A day before this moment with Peterson's son, he surprised a young fan by not only knowing his name, but by informing him that he was going to be the SNY Kidcaster later this month.

SNY is truly for the kids.

The pundits on Sky Sports ripped into Liverpool after the Reds produced a feeble first-half display against Manchester City that saw them fall two goals behind their title rivals. Gary Neville and Roy Keane were unreserved in their criticism of Arne Slot's side, who were second best throughout the opening exchanges in Manchester and did little to suggest they could defend their Premier League crown this season.

• City race into lead against Liverpool

  Liverpool trailed City 2-0 at the break and were incredibly disappointing in a half which could have laid down a marker for the rest of the season. The Premier League champions have been disappointing in defence this season, and a mix-up between Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate after just 10 minutes proved that deep issues remained. Jeremy Doku raced clear and was fouled by goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in the box, allowing Erling Haaland the chance to open the scoring from the spot.

  The Reds' shot-stopper made up for his foul and produced a good save down to his left to keep out the Norwegian goal-machine. The miss shocked fans around the world, who are so accustomed to Haaland burying most chances that fall his way.

  The shock only lasted so long, though, as Haaland towered above Konate to head home and put City on the path to victory after 29 minutes. The Reds fought back and Virgil van Dijk thought he had levelled, but VAR ruled out his header for an offside against Andy Robertson. The incredibly contentious decision frustrated Liverpool, who had their anger compounded by Nico Gonzalez’s drive on the brink of half-time.

  The Spanish midfielder hit a low shot from distance, which deflected off Van Dijk, who had stuck out a lazy right leg to block the effort. With the game at 2-0, Liverpool looked out of the contest and, potentially, out of the title race.

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  Neville and Keane criticise Liverpool

  Sky Sports pundits Neville and Keane launched into a scathing analysis of Liverpool. Neville, speaking on commentary, slammed the Reds and said that, “sometimes you can tell a team is there to be beaten. Liverpool's legs are gone. They cannot get out. It is so, so poor. Van Dijk just lets it hit him. Really strange.”

  He added, “Liverpool have lost every battle. It is really worrying.”

  Speaking during the break, Keane went further. He described the Liverpool performance as “dreadful” and believes that they can have little to complain about with Van Dijk’s disallowed equaliser.

  The former Manchester United captain said, “Robertson has to come out quicker. He is in line with the ball. The rules are that Robertson has to get out quicker.”

• Gakpo misses and Doku strikes

  With Liverpool needing an early goal in the second-half in order to wrestle back any chance of stealing the points back to Manchester, Slot made a few changes to try and inspire a comeback. Cody Gakpo came on and immediately found himself with a chance, but blazed over.

  The Dutchman was soon taught a lesson by his opposing winger, as the dazzling Doku cut inside of Konate and curled a beautiful effort into the far corner to put the game beyond doubt. The Belgian tore Liverpool apart throughout the game and continued to show this season why he is quickly becoming one of the best attackers in the Premier League.

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  Liverpool tumble down the table

  Humiliating defeat at the Etihad confines Liverpool to a place below Manchester United heading into the international break. Slot’s team are below the Red Devils on goals scored and can almost be counted out of the title race.

  Sitting seven spots and eight points below leaders Arsenal, the Reds will need a miraculously fast turnaround to ensure they do not fall too far behind. Liverpool were earmarked as clear favourites for the title before a ball had been kicked this campaign, but patchy form and mixed performances from new signings has cost them dearly in the quest to retain their crown.

  After the break, Liverpool host a resurgent Nottingham Forest who, under Sean Dyche, have started to make strides back up the division. On current form, it is difficult to pick a winner.

Veteran Ashton Turner believes WA’s chase of a rare Shield four-peat might be their toughest as they balance injuries, international duties and generational change

Tristan Lavalette04-Oct-2024Running out of gas, and players, Western Australia’s bid for a hat-trick of Sheffield Shield titles appeared in ruins deep into last season.WA endured adversity, ravaged by injuries and international departures as hungry competitors seemed to have finally overtaken them. But WA once again found a way, tapping into their reserves and resiliency to summon brilliant cricket at the business end culminating in a pummelling of Tasmania in a one-sided final.The last rites were spectacular with Joel Paris taking a blinder of a catch in the gully to clinch another title and trigger bedlam at the WACA.Those at the ground will never forget WA’s surge of momentum when everything they touched turned to gold. There were echoes of when Australia in the 2000s would get white hot and steamroll through exasperated opponents.Related

• Mature McSweeney making his mark in South Australia

• Khawaja, Labuschagne, Head and Marsh named for first round of the Shield, Smith rested

• Sheffield Shield preview: Western Australia chase history, Test stars to play early rounds

• Australia sweat on Green as selection for India becomes complicated

• Morris hopeful of early Shield return despite 'frustrating' injury issues

A match that appeared destined to go the distance finished in a whirlwind late on day four in fading light. For this golden group of WA cricketers, it was their sweetest triumph.Fast forward six months, ahead of WA’s Shield opener against Queensland at home starting on October 8, excitement is swirling around the old warhorse of the WACA. But there is also a feeling of uncertainty over whether WA can ward off the signs of slippage that was evident at times last season and continue their reign as the powerhouse of Australian domestic cricket.There won’t be complacency, with motivation found in the record books. The last team to win four in a row was when New South Wales lifted the Shield nine straight times from 1954-62. But no team has achieved the feat since the competition was expanded to six teams in 1977-78.WA (1987-89), Queensland (2000-02) and Victoria (2015-17) each fell short.”It [four in a row] is something we’ve spoken about in-house,” veteran WA batter Ashton Turner told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s great motivation, feels like we’re in rarified air. So it’s a really unique position.”Something we’re certainly aware of but in terms of motivation, you don’t become a professional cricketer without being internally competitive. Whether we’re playing dominoes or playing professional cricket, everyone in our squad is innately competitive.”Nothing will change this year from what has been a really successful blueprint over the last couple of seasons.”As gleaned from Shield history, so too other sports, winning four in a row is almost an impossible task. WA are finding this out the hard way in the One-Day Cup with the three-time champions starting the tournament with head-scratching losses to NSW and South Australia.

“One of the challenges after a really successful period is balancing the experienced senior playing group with sprinkling opportunities for young guys. We are mindful that there’s going to be another generation of Western Australian cricketers and we want to leave that generation in the healthiest place possible.”Ashton Turner on WA’s looming generational change

Issues are already evident. While WA’s famed continuity remains in place, with wicket-keeper/batter Josh Philippe’s defection to NSW their only major departure, depth will again be severely tested. A cautious approach is expected on injury-prone quicks Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris as they work their way back to full fitness.They will also have a number of players unavailable for stretches due to international duties. Depending on the severity of Cameron Green’s back injury, opener Cameron Bancroft and allrounder Aaron Hardie might be in the frame for Test duties.While rising offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli, who has been the fulcrum of the attack during the past two seasons, looms as a contender for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka early next year.”History would suggest that we’re going to lean on a much bigger squad of players. We’re really fortunate enough to have 30 players in our squad and probably four or five extra guys who are not officially contracted,” Turner said.”One of the challenges after a really successful period is balancing the experienced senior playing group with sprinkling opportunities for young guys.”We are mindful that there’s going to be another generation of Western Australian cricketers and we want to leave that generation in the healthiest place possible.”WA do have exciting prospects in the squad. Dogged top-order batter Teague Wyllie will look to get back on track after falling away last season, notably struggling with his foot work, while 19-year-old quick Mahli Beardman’s raw pace helped him earn a surprise call-up in Australia’s recent white-ball tour of the UK.Cooper Connolly brought up a fifty on debut•Getty ImagesBut all eyes will be on Cooper Connolly, who seems poised for a breakout summer. Having recently debuted at the international level, Connolly, 21, is an x-factor and his electric allround skills might just provide a spark for WA. He made a swashbuckling 90 in last year’s Shield final on first-class debut batting at No.7.”He’ll be an exciting one and hopefully we’ll get to see him more on the back of what he’s been able to do in Shield and BBL finals,” Turner said. “I see a lot of similarities between him and Travis Head, whose versatility allows him to bat at the top or middle order across formats.”Cooper is one of those guys who can play a number of roles. That’s what you want within your team – to have a couple of guys who are really versatile and gel well.”But a position may not be available for Connolly to start the season with Mitchell Marsh and Hardie set to play against Queensland as specialist batters, leaving Connolly and Turner possibly facing a selection battle.Turner rejuvenated his red-ball career late in the 2022-23 season, smashing a match-turning century in the Shield final against Victoria. He started last season strongly, carving a niche as a Gilchrist-like counterattacking No.7, before his summer was cut short due to a knee injury sustained early in the BBL season.With his aggressive batting, handy offspin and renowned leadership, Turner is likely to play a big role for WA having missed out on last season’s title.”There’s no sugar coating, injuries are really frustrating. Fortunately, my body’s feeling as well as it has done for a while now,” he said.Turner made his comeback in the IPL, reuniting with his former WA coach Justin Langer at Lucknow to end a five-year absence in the tournament, before returning to Durham for the T20 Blast. He also played two County Championship matches, scoring 114 not out off 151 balls batting at No.5 against Nottinghamshire.”What I’ve done in the last 18 months in red-ball…probably playing more positively than I did in the first eight or nine years of my career,” Turner said.”We’re seeing more positive approaches to red-ball cricket with new players having grown up on T20s coming into the system and that’s been good for me.”Turner also used his time at Durham to pick the brain of coach Ryan Campbell, a former flamboyant WA batter-wicketkeeper and an early exponent of the scoop shot.”I actually didn’t cross paths with him [at WA], but he’s helped my game the last couple of seasons,” Turner said of Campbell, who played two ODIs for Australia in the early 2000s.”He spoke to me about the way he approached the game as a player and his aggressive mindset. I’ve seen a lot of similarities in coaching philosophies between guys like Justin Langer, Simon Katich, Adam Voges and Ryan Campbell, who applied their trade at a similar time in Western Australia.”Playing Shield is always difficult but I feel well prepared, both physically and technically, for the challenges of this season.”