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Tarik Skubal had his shortest outing of the season on Friday against the Angels. The reigning Cy Young winner went just 4 2/3 innings against Los Angeles and gave up six hits and four earned runs.

While he retired all three batters he faced in the top of the 1st, he did experience some real frustration thanks to home plate umpire Tom Hanahan, who called two straight pitches in the zone balls during Mike Trout's at-bat.

While what was called ball two caught the very top of the zone, the pitch that Trout took to make the count 3-0 was a brutal miss by Hanahan. Skubal dropped into a crouching position and as he stood up he looked towards home and appeared to mouth "that's f—— horrible" twice.

Thanks to MLB.com, you can see just how bad that ball three call really was. As if the starting pitcher from the All-Star game making eye contact with the home plate umpire to repeatedly tell him he made a horrible call in the 1st inning wasn't enough of proof for you.

It is looking as though Australia will have an unchanged side for the second Test

Andrew McGlashan and Daniel Brettig22-Dec-20202:35

If David Warner is fit, who makes way for him?

David Warner is unlikely to be fit for the Boxing Day Test which means the decision on who will make way when he returns is set to be delayed until the third game of the series in the New Year.Warner, who was swiftly moved to Melbourne earlier this week due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney, has been out of action since injuring his groin in the second ODI at the SCG last month and despite an extensive rehabilitation programme, which has including using an oxygen chamber, the time frame looks too tight for him to be available.In Warner’s absence – and that of Will Pucovski who is also set to miss the second Test as he continues his recovery from concussion – Joe Burns and Matthew Wade formed a new opening partnership. Burns was coming off the back of a horrid run of form while Wade had never done the job previously in first-class cricket, but they added 70 in the second innings after repelling the new ball for 14 overs in the first.Related

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Speaking earlier this week, Warner was retaining hope that he would be able to get ready for the second Test.”Hopefully I can get up and about and start running at a higher tempo,” he told SEN Radio. “I managed to get up to 14 kilometres an hour so I’ve got to work towards a max of 26 to 30 kilometres an hour by next week.”If I can run between wickets and move laterally and do some ground fielding by the end of next week, I should be ready to go. Fingers are crossed.”When Warner has recovered, the selectors will have to make a call on who makes way for his return. Allrounder Cameron Green was handed a debut in Adelaide and is set to retain his place for Melbourne, but depending on the workloads for the frontline quicks – and perhaps the eventual location of the third Test which remains in doubt due to the Covid-19 situation in Sydney – it could be that the side reverts to the traditional six frontline batsmen with Wade returning to the middle order.Time appears to be against David Warner in the race for Boxing Day•Getty ImagesIf the selectors did want to retain Green then one of the batsmen would have to make way and that conversation would likely revolve around Wade and Travis Head.For a brief moment ahead of the first Test, it appeared Australia may have to consider another major loss to their batting order when Steven Smith tweaked his back in warm-ups. He was unable to have his traditional net two days out from the game but recovered in time to take his place, although he made minimal contributions with 1 off 29 balls in the first innings before a brief appearance in the chase.It was the first time in six years that Smith had had a back problem and he said there was still a bit of stiffness following the game but remained confident it wouldn’t hamper him ahead of the second Test.”Initially when I did it I did have some fears,” he said. “I’ve had a few back issues in the past and they are generally two or three day things where I do a lot of physio. It’s about getting the physio to push on my back and get that extension and get that range back. It’s still a bit stiff but it didn’t hamper me too much throughout the game, it was all good. It’s something that I need to manage when it goes. I probably haven’t had an episode since 2014 so hopefully they can continue to be six years apart if they come.”It’s just if I sit down for too long, really. If I’m up and about and moving around I’m pretty good, so I might be a bit stiff after this press conference. If I’m moving around or laying down I’m good. But I’m not worried about it, think everything will be fine and will be good to go.”

Though “really happy” with his form, Padikkal says “the ultimate prize” is the Ranji Trophy title

Deivarayan Muthu09-Feb-2024After Devdutt Padikkal went from 88 to a century with a punchy sequence of 6,4,4 off Tamil Nadu captain R Sai Kishore, he pumped his fist, spun around, and then raised his bat to acknowledge the cheers from a crowd of almost 1000 on Friday afternoon at Chepauk.Padikkal countered everything that Tamil Nadu threw at him. Sandeep Warrier smacked him on his helmet and unprotected shoulder, but he shook those blows off and hooked him away to the boundary. When M Mohammed went much fuller and attacked the stumps, Padikkal repeatedly pumped him over his head. It prompted Sai Kishore to station himself – the tallest fielder on the park – at straight long-on, almost right behind the bowler.Despite Sai Kishore taking a leaf out of MS Dhoni’s playbook, Padikkal kept launching the ball in the arc between midwicket and long-on. With both the Tamil Nadu left-arm spinners – Sai Kishore and Ajith Ram turning the ball into him – Padikkal took calculated risks to disrupt their lengths and lines.Related

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“I was just waiting for them to flight it up a little bit,” Padikkal said at his post-day press conference. “Both of them are really good bowlers and both of them were bowling really consistently in those [good] areas. So, we were just waiting for them to flight it up a little bit more and trying to make use of that opportunity because whenever those opportunities come, you have to score runs off them. Otherwise, you will probably get stuck.”Padikkal had walked out to bat at No.3 after his captain Mayank Agarwal was castled by Sai Kishore for 20. He is primarily an opening batter, but has been batting largely at No.3 in the past two domestic seasons to let the more experienced Agarwal and R Samarth do their thing at the top.”It’s just the way our team is set up,” Padikkal said. “I don’t mind batting at No.3 and I don’t mind opening either. So that doesn’t really make a huge difference. So I just want to make sure wherever I bat, I contribute to the team.”An acute intestinal issue over the past two years affected Padikkal’s form and fitness – in the 2022-23 season, he managed only 260 runs in seven Ranji innings at an average of 37.14. After regaining full fitness, Padikkal has now hit the high notes with the bat. He was Karnataka’s top run-getter in the 50-overs Vijay Hazare Trophy with 465 runs in five innings at an average of 155 and strike rate of 120.46. He has followed it up with four hundreds in six first-class games this season. Padikkal hopes that his stellar run will culminate in a Ranji title for Karnataka.

“How much ever you perform individually, if you’re not winning the Ranji Trophy, it doesn’t matter.”Devdutt Padikkal

“To be honest, in the last couple of years I wasn’t doing too well,” Padikkal said. “My performances were naturally dipping because of that. But I was always confident enough that I’d be back scoring runs at some point. Now that I’m back in terms of my fitness and health completely, I’m really happy I’m back scoring runs as well.”We all understand that when you’re not scoring runs, it’s not a great place to be. Really happy that I’m getting runs and helping the team win. For Karnataka, winning the Ranji Trophy is the ultimate prize. How much ever you perform individually, if you’re not winning the Ranji Trophy, it doesn’t matter.”If Padikkal could convert his century into a double on Saturday, on a Chepauk pitch that is already showing signs of variable bounce, he could take Karnataka towards the top of Group C in the Elite table and a step closer to that title.

Inter head coach Cristian Chivu has warned his squad not to underestimate a faltering Liverpool side in the Champions League, insisting that Mohamed Salah remains a world-class threat despite his public fallout with manager Arne Slot and the Reds' inconsistent Premier League form this season, demanding maximum "intensity" at the San Siro to cope with the English giants' high-pressing style.

Chivu ignores the 'decline' narrative

The narrative surrounding Liverpool’s trip to the San Siro has been dominated by their stumbling defence of the Premier League title and the supposed fragility of the squad under Arne Slot. Salah shocked Liverpool fans and pundits alike with his comments regarding Slot after his side's dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds at the weekend, resulting him being dropped from the squad for the Inter clash. However, Chivu has moved quickly to stomp out any complacency within the Nerazzurri camp. Speaking to ahead of the crucial European tie, the Inter boss rejected the idea that the English champions are a spent force, attributing their current struggles to a natural post-title hangover rather than a terminal crisis.

"Liverpool is one of the most successful teams," Chivu asserted, reminding the Italian press of the pedigree arriving in Milan. "They just won the Premier League. They had a good start and then a decline, which is normal. They have players capable of understanding the moments and being ready for the games that matter, and tomorrow is one of those."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSalah vs Slot civil war "not my concern"

The build-up to the match has been overshadowed by the explosive breakdown in relations between Salah and manager Slot. With the Egyptian forward publicly questioning the Dutchman's tactics and his goal return drying up, many in Italy view this as the perfect time to face the Reds. Chivu, however, refuses to be drawn into the soap opera. When pressed on whether Salah’s unhappiness gives Inter an edge, the Romanian coach was dismissive, insisting that Liverpool's threat extends far beyond one individual.

"Momo is important on a world-class level, but these are not problems that concern us. It’s not my concern," Chivu stated bluntly. "I know that they have players who can replace him, and that Liverpool will therefore maintain a high level as they always have done throughout their history." He doubled down on the need for collective focus, warning that focusing too much on Salah's drama could leave them exposed to other threats "We’re talking about teams, not individuals. That is why we have to worry about what the group does, not about individuals. They have a lot of quality."

The intensity trap: Chivu warns of Klopp's lingering legacy

While results may have dipped, the physical data suggests Liverpool remain a ferocious opponent. Chivu highlighted that the "heavy metal" identity forged by Jurgen Klopp has been successfully retained by Slot, even if the execution has stuttered recently. The Inter boss described this specific English style as a cultural phenomenon that Italian teams often struggle to replicate due to the grueling nature of the calendar.

"I think they're a team that has made intensity their motto, part of their identity," Chivu explained during his press conference. "Klopp brought it, Slot is trying to maintain it and he's succeeded. We want to do like them, but they were born that way… it leads to a certain approach to matches."

He also touched on the physical toll this approach takes, referencing a conversation with his own striker, Marcus Thuram, to illustrate the difficulty of matching Liverpool's running stats. "Playing every three days is not easy… You have to understand the moments and not lose your balance… At times you also need to rest, if you ask Marcus he'll tell you that it's not easy to press for 90 minutes straight." The key for Inter will be managing energy levels without being overrun by the Red wave.

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Getty Images SportCarrying the flag: Inter demand respect

Finally, Chivu took a moment to defend his own team's standing in Europe. Inter have been Italy's most consistent continental performer in the 2020s, and the manager feels that their recent record – including two Champions League final appearances in three years – warrants immense credit, regardless of the outcome against Liverpool.

"Inter have carried the Italian flag high around the world," Chivu said. "You don't reach two Champions League finals and a Europa League final in five years so easily, and they deserve to be celebrated. An Italian team that plays like this deserves some praise, aside from the final result."

The Chicago Cubs added to their rotation before the MLB trade deadline.

On Wednesday night, Chicago landed Michael Soroka in a trade with the Washington Nationals. 's Ken Rosenthal was first with the news. Soroka was in his first season in Washington and has struggled for much of the year. In 16 starts, he is 3-8 with a 4.87 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts against 24 walks in 81 1/3 innings.

Soroka is a former All-Star, and while his numbers aren't great on the surface, his xERA is 3.32, which means he has likely gotten pretty unlucky this season. His xBA is .218, which ranks in the 84th percentile leaguewide.

The 27-year-old was named an All-Star in 2019, and was the Atlanta Braves' Opening Day starter in 2020 before disaster struck. He tore his Achilles tendon in August of the 2020 season, then was forced to undergo a second surgery on his Achilles after a setback in his recovery, and then re-tore his Achilles a few weeks later. He didn't take the mound again until 2023.

Since his multiple Achilles injuries, Soroka has struggled to regain his form. In 2024, he made 25 appearances with the Chicago White Sox and went 0-10, with a 4.74 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP, and 84 strikeouts against 44 walks in 79 2/3 innings.

The Cubs have had a massive hole in their rotation since Justin Steele was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the season. Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have held things down at the top of the rotation, but the team desperately needed more depth. Soroka may be able to provide that.

Bruno Fernandes has been brutally compared to a “one-year-old”, with the Manchester United captain being told that high energy, goals and assists mask his flaws. Ex-Red Devils defender Paul Parker has been discussing the Portuguese playmaker with GOAL and believes that a talismanic presence at Old Trafford can both help and hinder the collective cause.

Fernandes' Man Utd record: Appearances and goals

Fernandes has been on United’s books since January 2020, when a transfer from Sporting was completed. He has gone on to make over 300 appearances for the Premier League heavyweights, scoring 102 goals. He has also teed up many more efforts for grateful team-mates.

The enigmatic 31-year-old has taken plenty of lessons from fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo down the years, with nothing but the best being demanded of himself and those playing by his side. His occasionally petulant character can rub people up the wrong way at times.

There is, however, no questioning his value to United. He is a leader on and off the field, with the Red Devils and their loyal fan base often looking to the man with the armband for inspiration. He has delivered on countless occasions in times of need.

AdvertisementGettyToo much: Fernandes wants to be everywhere

Fernandes does, however, stand accused of trying to do too much. Speaking in association with gambling portal British Gambler, former Red Devils star Parker told GOAL when asked about United’s engine room: “When you look in the middle, Casemiro does a great job. He is about the players around him. You put him in more consistent sides in the Premier League, he would look a different player. He would be respected and sort the tempo out.

“At Manchester United he is playing next to someone that doesn’t stand still. He [Fernandes] is like my one-year-old, you leave them somewhere but they are not going to stay there, you put your head down and he’s gone. When he’s gone, he doesn’t leave you a note behind about where he’s going to be. That’s the thing with Bruno, he is going to score a goal or do an assist and the rest is all forgotten.”

Captain material: Fernandes fills Man Utd armband

Parker is not the first ex-United full-back to deliver that assessment of Fernandes. Patrice Evra, another title winner with the Red Devils, has also told GOAL: “It’s always sensitive to talk about Bruno. It depends what people call a real captain. With a captain, sometimes you can have someone like Roy Keane or a different one. Bruno is giving assists and scoring goals, this has never been the issue. The issue for me is for him to control the team and the tempo when he gets the ball.

“You couldn't tell me where he's playing because he's everywhere. So sometimes maybe as a captain, you want to do extra, you want to do too much. And at the end, you're not even at your right position. But United wouldn't be where they are in the table if Bruno wasn't playing.”

Evra added on Fernandes’ role as skipper: “I don't question the fact about Bruno being a captain – he deserves to be captain because [Ruben] Amorim has chosen him. Look at what's happening to [Harry] Maguire. They got rid of the armband and he now plays like a United player. You saw how people were bullying him on social media or whatever. But he said, I'm staying here.”

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GettyTransfer talk: Move being mooted for 2026

While commanding centre-half Maguire has stayed put, it remains to be seen whether Fernandes will do likewise. Questions are being asked of his future heading towards 2026 – when he will have just one year remaining on his contract, as United retain a 12-month extension option.

Leading teams across Europe, including reigning La Liga champions Barcelona, have been credited with interest. Rumours of admiring glances from the Saudi Pro League are never far away either, with it being suggested on a regular basis that Fernandes could follow five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo – who is still going strong with Al-Nassr at 40 years of age – to the Middle East.

Liverpool have lost four games on the spin in the Premier League and their latest setback came under controversial circumstances at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Arne Slot’s side slipped to another damaging defeat on Saturday night after being beaten 3-2 by Brentford, adding to recent defeats against Manchester United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

The defending Premier League champions are now sat seventh in the table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, and Wayne Rooney has concerns about the leadership within the team.

“Three or four weeks ago no one saw this coming. It has hit them quick, it’s hit them hard and I think they’re struggling to find a way out of it,” the former England and Manchester United striker said on his podcast this weekend.

“This is a time where the manager, the leaders in the team need to figure it out very quickly. (Virgil) Van Dijk and (Mohamed) Salah signed new deals, but I don’t think they’ve really lead that team this season, with performances and body language.

“Body language tells you a lot and I think we are seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team. If their body language isn’t right that affects everyone else.

“If I was a Liverpool fan or the manager that would be a big concern for me.”

Move over Salah: Slot's 5/10 Liverpool star is the new Jordan Henderson

Liverpool’s crisis deepened as they were condemned to a fourth successive Premier League defeat at Brentford.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 26, 2025 Hooper praised for role in Liverpool penalty decision

Van Dijk was furious about the decision to award Brentford a penalty for his challenge on Dango Ouattara during the second half, a call that was made by back-up referee Tim Robinson after Simon Hooper had to be replaced due to an injury.

Hooper had his own controversy to deal with in the first half however, neglecting to award Liverpool a penalty after Nathan Collins tangled with Cody Gakpo.

The incident has now been reviewed by former PGMOL referee Dermot Gallagher, who labelled the decision “marvellous”.

“When you look, Nathan Collins plants his foot, he does no more, he doesn’t make a challenge, I think Gakpo anticipates the challenge, it doesn’t come and he goes over, it’s not a foul,” he said on Sky Sports’ ref review show.

He continued: “I think Simon Hooper has done really marvellous there. Because it does look a penalty, there’s no doubt it looks a penalty… you look at the replay and you see it’s so different. But Simon Hooper has one look, makes one decision, gets it right.”

While it certainly would have been a soft penalty, Liverpool fans will be incensed by Gallagher’s claims that Collins “doesn’t make a challenge”, but they can have little complaints about the final score.

Brentford were just the latest team to walk away with a higher expected goals rate than the Reds, and Arne Slot’s side are being outfought on a weekly basis, which will be the most worrying aspect of the current rut for owners FSG, who pumped huge funds into the Dutchman’s squad this summer.

Whether conversations begin about the manager’s future may be determined by their fixtures prior to the November international break, as they face Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Man City in the next four.

The wicketkeeper-batter hit 125 off 107 balls for a Cricket Australia XI against England Lions

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Nov-2025Cricket Australia XI 341 (Blackford 86, Wyllie 71, Harvey 52, Potts 3-49) and 235 for 2 (Inglis 125*, Harvey 58) beat England Lions 299 (Gay 78, Maladay 3-47, Sinfield 3-87) and 273 (Kellaway 59, Anderson 3-42) by eight wicketsAmid intrigue over what Australia may do with their batting order for the rest of the Ashes, Josh Inglis hammered a rapid century for a Cricket Australia XI against England Lions to signal that he would be option should the selectors opt for significant change.Travis Head’s remarkable century in Perth after being elevated to open due to Usman Khawaja’s back spasms has prompted talk about whether that should be a permanent move which would likely spell the end of Khawaja’s career and create a vacancy in the middle order.Related