LONDON: England coach Trevor Bayliss accepts the Test side’s top order has been their Achilles heel “for the last six or seven years” as he looks to World Cup winner Jason Roy to make a success of the position during the Ashes.
After Andrew Strauss retired in 2012, England great Alastair Cook got through a dozen opening partners of his own before calling time on his Test career last year.
Meanwhile the vexed question of who should bat at number three has been another long-running issue during Bayliss’s four-year reign, which will end after an Ashes series that starts in Birmingham next week.
Fears about England’s fragility at the top of the order were reinforced by their first-innings collapse to 85 all out in the first session of their inaugural Test against Ireland at Lord’s this week.
That their bowlers bailed them out of trouble by dismissing Ireland for just 38 on Friday to seal a 143-run win did little to allay the longstanding concerns over England’s specialist batsmen.
Bayliss, asked if England’s top order presented the team’s biggest problem, replied: “You don’t have to be Einstein to work that out.
“They have been for the last six or seven years, but it didn’t stop us (winning the Ashes) four years ago,” the Australian added.
The top three who played against Ireland — Test debutant Roy, Rory Burns and Joe Denly — have all been retained in a 14-man squad for the first Test against Australia that begins at Edgbaston on Thursday.
Burns averages just 22.28 in seven Tests and Denly 24.16 in three.
Now England are hoping Roy can follow the example of Australia’s David Warner by taking his white-ball form into the Test arena.
Fresh from playing a key role at the top of he order in England’s victorious World Cup campaign, Roy made 72 in his second Test innings against Ireland.
The 28-year-old has played the bulk of his first-class career with Surrey as a middle-order batsman and doubts remain about his ability to cope with new-ball seam movement.
“Like any debutant, he looked nervous but to score 70-odd in your first Test was a good effort,” said Bayliss.
“There was a bit more in those wickets than I’m sure he’s been used to in white-ball cricket over the last few years but runs are runs. He wouldn’t be the first player to look scratchy and eke out runs. In fact, that’s a good sign, I think.
“We want him to go out and play his natural game but in red-ball cricket you have to be a little more selective. You’ve got to make a conscious effort to say to yourself, ‘I’m not going to go for the big cover drive on the up until I’m really settled, the wicket is flat or the ball’s not doing as much’.
“Jason probably looked a little scratchy but he got 72 and helped us win the game.”
Traditionally, the best batsman in a Test side has come in at number three but England captain Joe Root, the most talented member of his side’s top order, prefers to bat at number four.
But this means the Yorkshireman has started many of his recent Test innings with England in trouble having lost two cheap wickets.
“Joe knows how I feel,” Bayliss said. “It’s been my thought for a few years (that Root should bat at number three). “But he’s the captain and he’ll make the final decision.”
Trevor Bayliss hopes Jason Roy, Joe Root can solve England’s top order problems ahead of Ashes
Trevor Bayliss hopes Jason Roy, Joe Root can solve England’s top order problems ahead of Ashes
Arab tennis hero Ons Jabeur plans to bounce back in 2025
- After a year beset by injuries, the Tunisian star tells Arab News she is confident of hitting the heights again
DUBAI: Last year was not one that Tunisian tennis superstar Ons Jabeur will remember with great fondness.
Having enthralled fans with her unique brand of tennis in the two previous years, reaching two Wimbledon finals and hitting the world No.2 ranking, 2024 was beset by injuries and disruptions.
As Jabeur prepares to launch her Australian Open campaign against Anhelina Kalinina of the Ukraine, she is determined to get back to the form that her army of supporters had come to expect of her.
“I’m feeling much better, happy to be back,” she told Arab News. “I feel like I’m playing good, I’m getting back into the game. I feel very motivated and definitely very positive. I can continue playing even better and the good news is there are a lot of great things to improve.”
Since landing in Australia at the start of the year, Jabeur has taken part in the Brisbane International, where she reached the quarterfinals, as well as the Adelaide International. Improving her form, and not her current WTA world ranking of 39, is the priority.
“I feel like ranking maybe would be a bit irrelevant in this case because if I focus a lot on it, I might kind of not see the level that I was in (before). I was in the top 10 for a good time and I think I need to always remember that I have that level to be one of the great players in the world.
“I always say the most important thing is that I should have the level and the ranking will follow up no matter how much time it will take.
“It is very important for me to get back to my game, and definitely improve a lot of points in my game. That would help me be a better player, especially, playing against these unbelievable players, they’re improving all the time and tennis is improving all the time. And I think it is really important for me to keep up with that game.”
Despite a tough year, Jabeur is now looking forward to mixing it with the next generation of players, for whom she has plenty of praise.
“It’s very impressive. A lot of things are growing very fast, (there are) a lot of unbelievable players,” she said. “You can see the level is super close between different players and it’s definitely an honor for me to be part of this generation, they are younger than me, but playing at the same time, it’s great to see that.
“It’s definitely motivating to get back on to the court and try to impose my game, because I know my game is a bit different than any other player and the challenge is kind of exciting.”
The Arab tennis hero is confident that she can return to the form she showed in 2022 and 2023.
“Definitely, yes. I think it’s a matter of time, a matter of motivation, and how mentally I feel about it because I always say if you’re mentally ready, and if in your head you’re ready, you can achieve anything. I think your body will follow and everything will follow.
“Now I think I have more experience than in 2022, which is a bonus I could use. But I’m definitely ready to get back into the game, to fight hard and leave everything on the court.”
Aside from her personal targets on court, Jabeur continues to be an inspiration for young Arab tennis talent, Both female and male.
“Of course, it’s one of my goals,” she said. “One of my dreams is to see our players playing on tour. I think we have the talent, I think we have so many motivated players to play on tour and I can say nothing is impossible.
“Just training from Tunisia, I discovered a lot of things and like I said, I’m happy to share my experience and … one day when I’m 100 percent focused, on maybe giving back more. That’s something I really want to do, and I think our region deserves to have more and more champions at international level.”
Saudi Arabia recently awarded citizenship to 15-year-old French tennis player Maysan Hussein, who is of Tunisian origin, and Jabeur believes such moves can help more players get a platform to realise their potential.
“I know Maysan, I met her and met her father, very nice people. Every player deserves the support, deserves to be there, deserves to not think about how much everything will cost. They just need to focus on their training and doing their best. And what Saudi and other countries are doing is really great and I hope they can help her and they can set a good program for her. I wish her well.”
Najmul to lead Bangladesh in Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy
- Key players Liton Das and former all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan not part of the squad
- ODI Champions Trophy tournament takes place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19
DHAKA: Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai next month, the cricket board said Sunday, with key players including Liton Das missing the cut.
Former star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is also missing from the 15-man squad for the one-day international tournament.
The Champions Trophy takes place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 with Bangladesh placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan and New Zealand.
Bangladesh are ninth in the ICC ODI rankings.
They play their opener against India in Dubai on February 20.
Bangladesh squad: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.
Australian Open: Olympic champ Zheng Qinwen starts her bid for another final on a rainy Day 1
- They had just finished the pre-match formalities when play was delayed by a few minutes so that the roof could be closed
- It was one of the matches that continued under cover when tournament organizers suspended play on all outside courts until later in the afternoon
MELBOURNE: Zheng Qinwen’s tennis resume is quite different from what it was when she showed up at the Australian Open a full year ago. No matter everything she accomplished in 2024 — a runner-up finish at Melbourne Park; an Olympic gold medal for China — she felt jitters before entering Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
After overcoming some hiccups late in the opening set of her first-round match on a stormy Day 1 at the season’s first major tennis tournament, Zheng came through with a 7-6 (3), 6-1 victory against Anca Todoni, a 20-year-old qualifier from Romania who has won one Grand Slam match in her career.
“Actually, I feel really nervous,” said Zheng, who is seeded No. 5. “I started to feel nervous already since yesterday, ‘cause I felt special emotion for the Australian Open. ... I really like it here.”
As well she should.
It was 12 months ago on Melbourne’s hard courts that Zheng made it all the way to the final before losing to Aryna Sabalenka. The two-time champion was due to begin her title defense as the No. 1 seed on Sunday night against 2017 US Open title winner Sloane Stephens, before Alexander Zverev, the men’s No. 2 seed, faced Lucas Pouille.
Before her run in Australia last January, Zheng had only played in eight major tournaments, making one quarterfinal. Her big-hitting breakthrough opened a season in which she wound up with a gold draped around her neck at the Paris Games in August.
The 22-year-old Zheng’s power-based game is best suited for hard courts, and playing indoors doesn’t hurt, either, so she eventually was quite comfortable against Todoni under a closed retractable roof, while thunder and lightning and a serious downpour suspended action on the courts that can’t be covered.
Still, Zheng frittered away set points while serving for the opener at 5-4, then was forced to save set points for Todoni later. Afterward, Zheng said that being nervous usually makes her focus better, but this time, it didn’t make “me play my best tennis out there.”
Maybe that’s because it was her first match of the season. Still, she was good enough on this day.
The second set was more one-sided, and Todoni took a medical timeout for treatment on her lower back after three games.
Zheng was among only a handful of players able to complete matches in the early going at what is now a 15-day tournament after a Sunday start was instituted last year. That extra time, which spreads out the first round across three days, could be particularly helpful this week, when Monday’s packed program already included matches for Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek.
Other winners Sunday afternoon included No. 14 Mirra Andreeva, a 17-year-old from Russia; No. 18 Donna Vekic and No. 20 Arthur Fils.
“To be able to play a match and to finish a match with a roof, it’s much more easy than ... to stop with the rain,” said Fils, who eliminated Otto Virtanen of Finland 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4. “So, yeah, it’s a nice treatment.”
New Zealand recall proven trio for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy
- New Zealand recall Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson for upcoming tournament
- Key trio were unavailable for home ODI series against Sri Lanka due to offshore T20 commitments
Wellington: Seasoned players Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson were recalled Sunday to an experienced New Zealand squad to contest the Champions Trophy one-day tournament.
The key trio were unavailable for the just-completed home ODI series against Sri Lanka because of offshore T20 commitments.
Batters Williamson and Conway have been playing in South Africa’s T20 league while pace bowler Ferguson is involved in Australia’s Big Bash competition.
Ben Sears was also selected for the ICC tournament co-hosted by Pakistan and UAE, having missed the 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka with a knee injury.
It will be the first senior ICC event for Sears and fellow pace bowlers Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith.
Coach Gary Stead will oversee a squad he said also boasted experience and depth.
“We’re currently blessed with a lot of quality players and that certainly made for some challenging selection discussions,” Stead said.
Spin bowler Mitchell Santner will lead New Zealand at a major event for the first time, after being named full-time white ball captain in December.
Santner, former skipper Williamson and wicketkeeper Tom Latham were all part of the New Zealand squad for the last edition of the Champions Trophy, in England and Wales in 2017.
New Zealand will contest the tournament’s opening match against Pakistan in Karachi on February 19, followed by pool games against Bangladesh and India.
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (capt), Will Young, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke
Boxing Magazine relaunch: A historic celebration at London’s Old Royal Naval College
- First published in the 1920s, Boxing Magazine has cemented its reputation as the definitive source of news, analysis, and profiles in the world of boxing
- “This magazine is more than a publication; it is a bridge between tradition and modernity," says Saudi entertainment authority chief, the man behind the acquisition of the mag
LONDON: The historic Old Royal Naval College was the perfect backdrop for a momentous occasion: the relaunch of Boxing Magazine, a publication steeped in tradition and renowned for its in-depth coverage of the sweet science.
Established in 1922, Boxing Magazine has chronicled the evolution of boxing for more than a century, becoming a trusted voice for fans and insiders alike.
Now, under the stewardship of Turki Al-Alshaikh, adviser to the Saudi Royal Court and head of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, the magazine is poised for a bold new era.
First published in the early 20th century, Boxing Magazine quickly cemented its reputation as the definitive source of news, analysis and profiles in the world of boxing. Over the decades, it has covered legendary bouts, celebrated champions, and documented the sport’s growth on a global scale. From the roaring 1920s to the digital age, the magazine has adapted to changing times while maintaining its commitment to quality journalism.
Saturday’s relaunch event was a tribute to this legacy, with guests including prominent figures from the boxing community, sports media, and entertainment industry. Attendees marveled at an exclusive exhibition of iconic magazine covers and memorabilia, offering a nostalgic journey through boxing’s storied past. Al-AlShaikh, who attended the event, highlighted the magazine’s potential to unite global boxing enthusiasts.
Visionary leadership
The acquisition of Boxing Magazine by Al-AlShaikh is a significant turning point for the publication. Known for his transformative work as GEA head, Al-Alshaikh has been instrumental in fostering cultural and sporting advances in the Kingdom. His presence at the event underscored his commitment to elevating the magazine’s profile and broadening its global reach.
In his remarks, Al-AlShaikh emphasized his passion for boxing and the role of sport in bridging cultures. “This magazine is more than a publication; it is a bridge between tradition and modernity, a testament to the enduring power of sport to inspire and unite,” he said.
As part of the event, special awards were presented to recognize outstanding achievements in the boxing world. Billy Dib was honored with The Ring Comeback of the Year award, while Daniel Dubois received The Ring Knockout of the Year award for his stunning KO of Anthony Joshua.
Saudi Vision 2030
The relaunch of Boxing Magazine aligns seamlessly with Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious blueprint for economic and cultural transformation. By investing in global cultural and sporting assets, Saudi Arabia aims to establish itself as a hub for innovation, creativity and entertainment. The reinvigoration of a historic brand like Boxing Magazine reflects this commitment, showing how tradition and progress can harmonize.
Under Al-AlShaikh’s leadership, the magazine is expected to expand its reach to new audiences, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, regions where boxing is experiencing rapid growth. Plans include bilingual editions, interactive digital platforms, a dedicated app, and printed versions of the magazine. These initiatives aim to celebrate boxing’s heritage while nurturing its future.
Bright future ahead
As Boxing Magazine enters this exciting new chapter, its relaunch at the Old Royal Naval College symbolizes the enduring appeal of boxing as a sport and cultural phenomenon. With Al-AlShaikh at the helm, the magazine is well positioned to honor its storied past while embracing the opportunities of the future.
For boxing enthusiasts and casual readers alike, the relaunch promises a revitalized publication that stays true to its roots while setting new standards in sports journalism. With its rich history and visionary leadership, Boxing Magazine is poised to remain a cornerstone of the boxing world for generations to come.
