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Fourth Indigenous cricketer to play for Australia thought his Test chance might have gone

Alex Malcolm26-Dec-2021On November 6, Scott Boland sat in the Ponsford stand of an empty MCG with three journalists and was asked about what he thought of his Test prospects.”I know there are so many good fast bowlers around,” Boland said, “it’s going to be hard for me to get a crack but all I can do is just keep doing what I’ve been doing for the last few years. If the opportunity comes I’ll be really, really happy.”On Boxing Day, the 32-year-old Victorian received his Baggy Green from Josh Hazlewood and took his first Test wicket in front of 57,100 fans. It was a moment he admitted that he thought might have passed him by a few years ago.Related

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“Definitely,” Boland said after play on day one in Melbourne. “I probably felt two or three years ago I wasn’t bowling as well as I know I could.”Boland played 14 ODIs and three T20Is for Australia in 2016 but had dropped off the selectors’ radar.Following an excellent 2020-21 Sheffield Shield season, Australia’s chairman of selectors, George Bailey, spoke to Boland ahead of the 2021-22 season and told him was doing the right things. But even by the second Shield game in early November, Boland had not been given any indication he would be part of the extended Australia/Australia A squad that needed to quarantine in Queensland.But after taking 8 for 89 against New South Wales at the MCG Bailey rang again to confirm that Boland would be in the Australia A squad to face the England Lions and that he would be a chance to be called up to the Test squad for the MCG or SCG Tests given his superb record at the grounds.Then the stars aligned with Pat Cummins being ruled out of Adelaide, which led to both Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser playing while Boland was flown in on short notice to carry the drinks. On day five in Adelaide Boland was told he would be added to the Test squad for Melbourne and the rest is history.Boland’s debut is even more significant given he is just the second Indigenous male behind Jason Gillespie, and the fourth Indigenous Australian behind women’s representatives Faith Thomas and Ash Gardner, to play Test cricket for Australia.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”I’m pretty proud,” Boland said. “My family’s very proud as well. It means a lot to join a pretty small club and hopefully, it is just the start of something big for the Indigenous community in cricket. If I can be a role model for young Indigenous kids to want to play cricket, I think the Indigenous community in [Australian rules football] and rugby is so big, hopefully, one day, the Aboriginals in cricket can be just as big.”Cricket Australia’s Indigenous advisory chair Justin Mohamed believes Boland can become an inspiration for a community that has been badly under-represented in elite-level cricket in Australia.”It’s a magnificent day for Scott,” Mohamed said. “It’s a magnificent day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders because he’s obviously representing himself and his family but also a representation of people who are so proud it could happen on such a significant day.”Aboriginal people, where they’ve excelled, they’ve gone to sports where they feel there’s an opportunity like [Australian rules football], rugby league, boxing. For some reason, that hasn’t been seen as a genuine opportunity in cricket and that’s what we’re hoping to change.”You hear of cricketers that have come through that came to the MCG and watched Dennis Lillee or Jeff Thompson who inspired them. You hear of athletes who said they saw Cathy Freeman in 2000 [at the Sydney Olympics] and that’s inspired them to be the next Olympian. Hopefully, there will be the six, eight, or 10-year-old watching something like this and saying ‘that’s what I want to do’.”

On Saturday Mike Trout hit a big career milestone. The Angels superstar mashed his 400th career home run, an absolute monster of a 485-foot shot against the Rockies at Coors Field. It was a cool moment for the former MVP amidst a down season in Los Angeles— and he capped the night off with a very classy gesture for the fan who caught the ball.

Per ESPN the fan caught the home run ball while attending the game with his family. He was willing to give the milestone baseball back to the superstar, but had one special request: to play a game of catch. Trout obliged, playing catch with the fan on the field after the 3-0 Angels win over the Rockies.

A really cool gesture from Trout and undoubtedly an incredible special moment for the fan. Trout also gave the fan's family three signed baseballs and two signed bats.

"Once they get older and realize, that'll be an awesome memory for the dad to tell the kids, to experience that," Trout said of playing catch with the fan. "I know how I felt when I went to a ballgame with my dad."

The homer was Trout's 22nd of the year for the 70-85 Angels. He'll try to hit No. 401 against the Rockies on Sunday with first pitch set 3:10 p.m. ET.

The BCCI took the decision due to the fast-fading light in north-east India

Nagraj Gollapudi11-Nov-2025Due to early sunrise and sunset in Guwahati, the second Test between India and South Africa will see players having tea first followed by lunch. Normally, tea prior to supper is a routine followed in day-night Tests, but the BCCI took the special decision for a day Test in Guwahati due to the fast fading light in north-east India.The Test, which starts from November 22, will be the first Test match in Guwahati, which recently hosted several matches in the women’s ODI World Cup. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who is from Guwahati, confirmed the Test would start half an hour earlier than the norm for red-ball Tests in India, including the first Test in Kolkata, which will begin at 9.30am IST.The toss in Guwahati will be at 8.30am IST, with the first session between 9 and 11am, followed by a 20-minute tea break. Lunch will be between 1.20 and 2 pm with the final session scheduled till 4 PM, with an extra half-hour if needed.Related

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According to Saikia, having lunch at 11 after the end of first session would have been too early for players, and hence the BCCI decided to tweak the session timings.”It is a practical decision,” Saikia told ESPNcricinfo. “In winters, sunrise and sunset are very early here in north-east India. By 4pm the (day)light recedes and you can’t play much after. Because of that we have decided to start early, so play will start at 9 am.”The series starts Friday at Eden Gardens, where a special gold-plated coin, with insignia of BCCI and Cricket South Africa on each side, will be used at the toss.

“The BCCI medical team, along with specialists in Sydney and India, are pleased with his recovery,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia says

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Nov-2025

Shreyas Iyer clutches his side after taking a tumbling catch•Getty Images

Shreyas Iyer has been discharged from the Sydney hospital he had been admitted to for the spleen laceration, with internal bleeding, he suffered during India’s third ODI against Australia on October 25, and “is now stable and recovering well”, the BCCI said in a statement on Saturday morning.”The injury was promptly identified, and the bleeding was immediately arrested following a minor procedure. He has undergone appropriate medical management for the same,” the statement, quoting secretary Devajit Saikia, said. “He is now stable and recovering well. The BCCI medical team, along with specialists in Sydney and India, are pleased with his recovery, and he has been discharged from the hospital today.”Iyer was treated by Dr Koroush Haghighi and his team in Sydney with help from Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala in India. The BCCI added, “Shreyas will continue to stay in Sydney for his follow-up consultations and will return to India once he is deemed fit to fly.”The injury took place when Iyer took a catch running backwards from point to dismiss Alex Carey in the Sydney ODI. He immediately clutched his rib cage and signalled for medical attention. He was taken off the field and did not return for the remainder of Australia’s innings.India won the third ODI by nine wickets, but lost the three-match series 2-1 after going down in the first two games in Perth and Adelaide. They are currently 1-0 down after two matches in the T20I series that has followed the ODIs.

Inigo Perez, who currently manages La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, is the latest name “under consideration” by Wolverhampton Wanderers to fill their current vacancy in the dugout.

After picking up just two points from an available 30 in their opening 10 Premier League games, Vitor Pereira was dismissed from his post as manager. Wolves have determined who will take interim charge of the club against Chelsea on Saturday, but will no doubt hope for a swift appointment as James Collins took press conference duties on Friday.

Unsurprisingly, a number of managers have been linked with Wolves and it will take a gargantuan effort to lift the Old Gold out of their current slump. Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards appears to be their preferred choice, although Boro are hesitant to let go of the head coach who, hired last summer, has made a strong start at the Riverside Stadium.

Reports from Spain, however, have indicated that Wolves were looking to options from abroad to replace Pereira.

Wolves keen on Perez of Rayo Vallecano

Radio Marca, as per Sport Witness, have stated that Inigo Perez has “received calls from Wolves” about becoming their next manager. A former midfielder, Perez spent a season as Rayo Vallecano’s assistant manager under Andoni Iraola, who is now doing brilliant things with Bournemouth.

Returning to the club in 2024 as manager, Perez guided Vallecano to Conference League football through their eighth-placed finish in La Liga last season. The club are unbeaten in Europe after three matches and with 11 league games played, are 10th in the table.

Perez has since acknowledged that he understands comparisons between Iraola, himself and the way their teams play, a brand of football that is clearly effective.

Interest in Perez is understandable, though Diario de Navarra, once again as per Sport Witness, have claimed that Perez “wants to stay at Rayo Vallecano until the end of this season.” As such, he has “rejected the offers” he has received from Wolves and other interested parties.

It feels imperative that Wolves, who are still without a league win this season, soon find a replacement for Pereira, given the predicament they find themselves in. Perez, however, will seemingly not be that man.

If Perez continues to impress as he has done during his reign so far, then he may soon follow Iraola to the Premier League. It would appear that, for now, Wolves will have to turn to an alternative target.

Ex Man Utd manager would be open to talks with Wolves

Middlesbrough aren’t just looking at a move for Steven Gerrard, with a Championship title-winning manager also on the Riverside radar.

Gerrard among top Middlesbrough targets to replace Edwards

Boro’s search for a new manager is now officially underway after Rob Edwards’ move to Wolves was confirmed on Wednesday. Taking to social media, Edwards released a statement, saying:

Adi Viveash remains in interim charge for the time being and oversaw the club’s 2-1 win at home to Birmingham City prior to the international break, a victory which saw Boro return to the Championship automatic promotion spots.

A top two finish in 2026 will be the ask of Edwards’ permanent successor and there have already been named linked with the Riverside vacancy.

Gerrard is one who has been heavily mooted with a move to Middlesbrough in what would be his first taste as a manager in the Championship.

Out of work since January when he left Saudi Arabia and Al-Ettifaq, Gerrard is rated by Steve Gibson and is thought to find the idea of a move to the Riverside appealing.

Journalist Graeme Bailey said: “Gerrard is well liked by Boro, he has an impressive CV and would be a significant coup to land him, but it is not certain if they could put together the package to persuade him to move to the North East.”

Middlesbrough also eyeing Tony Mowbray return

According to Bailey and The Rousing Kop, Middlesbrough are also eyeing up former manager Tony Mowbray as an alternative to Gerrard.

As well as Mowbray, Alex Neil, Paul Heckingbottom, Raphael Wicky, Gary O’Neil, Robbie Keane and Mark Robins are also named as potential candidates to come in on a permanent basis.

Mowbray, who has six wins against Middlesbrough as a manager, spent three years in charge of Boro between 2010-2013 but failed to guide the club back to the Premier League.

The 61-year-old is currently out of work, with his most recent spell in the dugout coming at West Brom, where he was labelled “exceptional” by Baggies’ sporting director Andrew Nestor.

He won the Championship title during his first stint as Baggies boss back in 2008 and has even been linked with a short-term role at Southampton in recent weeks, so Mowbray’s return to the Riverside could be one to keep an eye on.

Vitor Pereira had penned a new contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers back in September.

Yet, as we now enter November, the Portuguese boss is no longer occupying the Molineux hot-seat, with the Old Gold yet to collect a Premier League win this season from ten matches.

It is going to be a huge task for whoever takes on the reins after Pereira to try and turn around Wolves’ miserable season, with a surprise return for Gary O’Neil reportedly once on the cards.

However, despite allegedly entering talks about coming back to the top-flight’s basement club, the ex-Wolves manager pulled out of a shock reunion.

This could be a blessing in disguise in the West Midlands, with O’Neil enduring a tough end to his previous Old Gold spell…

Where things went wrong for O'Neil at Wolves

Going back in for a previous manager to try and turn around a sinking ship very rarely works out.

O’Neil did manage to keep Wolves up during his first campaign in charge during the 2022/23 season, as a depleted Old Gold side that no longer had the likes of Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez on their books soared to 14th in the league standings.

It’s the woeful start to his second campaign in charge that would likely have not made this an appointment to go down well with the already disgruntled Molineux masses.

Indeed, Wolves only managed to collect a dire two wins from 16 games before he was given his marching orders, having also conceded a calamitous 40 goals along the way.

Games managed

100

Wins

31

Draws

17

Losses

52

Goals scored

135

Goals conceded

178

Points accumulated

110

Therefore, expecting O’Neil to return and be a transformative appointment would have been viewed as far-fetched, with Wolves chairman Jeff Shi even admitting when he got rid of the 42-year-old that he had “cut ties too late.”

Thankfully, Pereira worked out in the short term. But, now, Wolves need another fresh set of ideas to get them out of a similar mess, as a former Old Gold player turned successful manager continues to be linked with the vacancy.

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Wolves' outstanding O'Neil alternative

Wolves have been linked with a whole host of different and unique names, with ex-Molineux goal machine Robbie Keane even throwing his hat into the ring.

But, it appears now that current Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards is high up on the priority list to replace Pereira, with talkSPORT naming Edwards as a ‘strong contender’ to get the job.

It’s noted that former Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, is also on their radar, although Edwards is currently ahead of the Dutchman to get the job.

The current Boro boss has a release clause in his contract at the Riverside and could soon make a return to the Premier League.

Immediately, with his previous connections to the club as a player and as a former U21 coach, it could be a good fit.

That’s before you even take into account the admirable job he did at Luton Town, who were rooted towards the foot of the Premier League division throughout the 2023/24 campaign.

Against all the odds, the much-loved Edwards nearly kept Luton afloat in the Premier League, as the Boro boss made the Hatters a stern team to try and break down.

That led to the minnows picking up a 1-1 draw against Liverpool that season, and saw them compete with Arsenal all the way at Kenilworth Road in a 4-3 defeat. Remarkably, that is the last time the Gunners have shipped three goals in any game of football.

Mikel Arteta even commended Edwards for how “difficult” he had made Luton to beat, with Wolves in some dire need of the same grit and application to try and get them out of their horrible hole.

It wasn’t all just attritional performances, though, as Edwards also managed to turn Carlton Morris into an 11-goal hero in the top-flight. That will be music to the ears of a misfiring Jorgen Strand Larsen, who has only one league strike next to his name this season.

But, as can be seen watching the highlight reel above, the imposing Norwegian did manage to fire home 14 goals last campaign, as he attempts to become Edwards’ next focal point, if the ex-Luton manager is handed the reins.

Described as an opportunity that will be “hard for him to say no to” by journalist Graeme Bailey, it will be intriguing to see if Edwards does end up swapping a top-of-the-table position in the EFL for another basement battle in the league above.

With a bit between his teeth now at the Riverside Stadium, it could be time for Edwards to mount a Premier League return, having also previously been lauded as “one of English football’s brightest and best young coaches.”

Doesn’t that sound good, Wolves fans?

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