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Antes pressionada e preocupada pelo início de Thiago Carpini no comando do São Paulo, o torcedor Tricolor tem, há 10 jogos, motivos para sorrir. O motivo? Zubeldía, que possui o melhor início de um treinador no clube no século 21. Até o momento, o técnico tem oito vitórias e dois empates no comando da equipe.

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Quem chegou perto dessa marca foi Cuca, em 2004. O treinador, na época, conquistou nove vitórias seguidas, mas perdeu o 10º para a LDU. Confira, nesta matéria, os motivos para o sucesso de Zubeldía!

➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo

Organização tática do

Com um estilo de jogo próprio, o argentino juntou a fome com a vontade de comer. No Tricolor, usa, até agora, força e organização para alcançar os resultados.

continua após a publicidadePaz com a torcida do São Paulo e apoio dos jogadores

Além de ter se mostrado inteligente taticamente, o treinador também é justo em suas escalações. Joga quem está bem, usando uma meritocracia interessante na formação. Com a torcida, isso pega bem, mostrando que quem está em campo são aqueles que dão o máximo nos treinos.

Confiança e muito trabalho

É notável, também, a confiança que os jogadores possuem em campo, muito compartilhado pelo seu técnico. Não há, até o momento, medo de jogar e arriscar. Com isso, o Tricolor apresenta outros números interessantes no comando do Soberano: são 19 gols marcados e quatro gols sofridos.

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Tudo sobre

LibertadoresLuis ZubeldíaSão Paulo

The Mariners left All-Star pitcher Bryan Woo off their AL Division Series roster ahead of Game 1 against the Tigers Saturday.

Woo hasn't pitched since Sep. 19 as he's dealt with pectoral inflammation, which will now keep him out of Seattle's first postseason series. Should the Mariners get past the Tigers and advance to the AL Championship Series, he'd be able to return if he's ready to go.

Woo's absence is a big blow for Seattle as the righthander started 30 games and had a 15-7 record in the regular season, earning his first All-Star nod along the way. He has a team-best 2.94 ERA among starters and also leads the team with 198 strikeouts.

Seattle hosts the first two games of the series and will give the ball to George Kirby in Game 1 as Luis Castillo is expected to start Game 2 against Detroit's ace Tarik Skubal. Castillo made 32 starts this season with a 18-11 record, 3.54 ERA and 162 strikeouts. Kirby started 23 games, notching 12 wins and striking out 137 batters with a 4.21 ERA.

First pitch between the Mariners and Tigers to open their ALDS matchup is slated for 8:38 p.m. ET Saturday at T-Mobile Park as Troy Melton toes the rubber for Detroit before Skubal gets the ball Sunday.

Manchester United have now reportedly sent scouts to keep close tabs on an Elliot Anderson alternative who Ruben Amorim once called a “natural leader”.

Roy Keane slams "schoolboy" Man Utd star after West Ham draw

Just when it seems like Man United are making progress, the Red Devils are hit with more frustration. This time, it was West Ham United who took full advantage to snatch a point at Old Trafford thanks to Soungoutou Magassa’s late equaliser.

It’s now one win in five for Ruben Amorim’s side and club legend Roy Keane couldn’t hold back his criticism any longer following the draw against West Ham.

It was another game in which United failed to make their attacking prowess count as Keane questioned midfielder Mount following his cameo from the bench.

It’s not the first time that Amorim’s midfield has been questioned and it certainly won’t be the last. INEOS are well aware that additions in that area should be next on their list of priorities, having reinforced the frontline in the summer.

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As such, names such as Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton have emerged as 2026 targets. The former is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after midfielders in the Premier League, with United among the chasing pack to land his signature.

But the Nottingham Forest star isn’t the only name on their shortlist. Instead, they could yet form a reunion between Morten Hjulmand and Amorim.

Man Utd keeping close tabs on Hjulmand

According to Caught Offside, Man United scouts are now keeping close tabs on Hjulmand in case they miss out on both Anderson and Wharton. The Sporting CP star is valued at £50m – making him a cheaper alternative to Anderson – and is someone that Amorim knows well from his time in Lisbon.

League stats 25/26

Hjulmand

Anderson

Minutes

1,067

1,260

Progressive Passes

91

119

Tackles Won

16

20

Ball Recoveries

79

115

Although Amorim was quick to dub Hjulmand a “fantastic player” at Sporting, there’s no denying that Anderson should remain Man United’s top option.

The Nottingham Forest star has blown the Dane away, statistically speaking, so far this season and has done the same comparison to a number of Premier League stars.

He won’t come cheap and United must overcome the hurdle of competition from Manchester City and others, but INEOS simply have to go all out for the England international in 2026. If the Red Devils are to rise again, they cannot settle for second best.

"Pretty torrid" – Samuel Luckhurst slams Man Utd star vs West Ham

Just 21 T20Is old, Abhishek Sharma is making a name for himself as a six-hitter to rival the best

Sampath Bandarupalli24-Sep-20251:20

Chopra: Very little the bowlers could do against Abhishek

58 Sixes hit by Abhishek Sharma in 21 T20I innings. He is already the joint seventh among batters with the most sixes for India in men’s T20Is.Since his T20I debut in July 2024, only Austria’s Karanbir Singh (99) and UAE’s Muhammad Waseem (60) have hit more sixes than Abhishek. Among Full-Member nation players, Sanju Samson ranks second with 37 sixes.6.83 Balls per six for Abhishek in this format, the second best among 153 players with 50-plus sixes in men’s T20Is. Gibraltar’s Kayron Stagno has the best, averaging a six every 6.61 balls. Abhishek’s balls-per-six ratio is the best among Full-Member nation players, with Andre Russell (7.21) ranking second.2.76 Sixes per innings for Abhishek, also the second-best ratio among batters with 50-plus sixes. Karanbir Singh is ahead with 3.14, having hit 113 sixes in 36 innings. Evin Lewis (2.13) is the only player from Full-Member nations, apart from Abhishek, with a ratio of two or more sixes per innings.6 Instances of Abhishek hitting five or more sixes in a T20I, including Wednesday’s Asia Cup fixture against Bangladesh. Among Indians, only Rohit Sharma (13) and Suryakumar Yadav (9) have hit five or more sixes in a T20I more often than Abhishek.32 Abhishek’s sixes in the powerplay overs. Only three Indians have hit more sixes in the first six overs in men’s T20Is. Abhishek has hit 23 sixes in the middle overs (7-16) and three at the death (17-20) in T20Is.33 Sixes for Abhishek against pace bowlers off 246 balls, at a rate of one every 7.46 balls. Against spinners, he has hit one every six balls on average – 25 sixes in 150 balls.331 Number of balls Abhishek took to bring up 50 sixes in T20Is, the fewest among all T20I batters. His 50th six came on Sunday in the Asia Cup fixture against Pakistan. Gibraltar’s Kayron J Stagno was the previous quickest – 335 balls – while the next fastest from Full-Member nation players is Lewis (366 balls).

Ben Stokes waiting for final look at pitch before making call on all-pace attack

Matt Roller20-Nov-2025England have deferred a final decision on their team for the first Ashes Test until Friday morning as they weigh up the merits of picking a spinner in Perth.Ben Stokes has often named an XI two full days out from Tests since taking over as captain, but on this occasion England announced they had trimmed their 16-man squad down to 12 names on Wednesday. Stokes said before England’s training session on Thursday afternoon that they would “probably” have a final team later in the day, but has instead opted for a final look at the pitch on the first morning.England’s biggest decision surrounds the possible inclusion of Shoaib Bashir on a pitch expected to offer pace and bounce for their fast bowlers. Australia’s Nathan Lyon has a formidable record at Perth Stadium, with 29 wickets at 20.86, but visiting spinners have a combined record of eight wickets at 87.50 at the venue.Related

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Bashir has not played competitively since taking the final wicket in England’s fifth-day win over India at Lord’s in July, having broken the little finger on his left hand earlier in the match. He was expensive in England’s warm-up match last week, returning figures of 2 for 151 off 24 overs, but Stokes backed him to play a role at some stage in the series.”Team sport takes all 11 [players] to influence a game at some point,” Stokes said. “All 11 guys who get the honour of being selected in the next five games will be just as important as each other. He was always going to be in the 12-man [squad]. Seeing the way the game at Lilac Hill went, it felt like we could just get him as many opportunities to bowl as possible.”It leaves open the possibility that England will field an all-seam attack for only the third time since Stokes took over as captain three years ago, which would see Jofra Archer and Mark Wood paired together for only the second time in Tests. They have lost on both previous occasions, against Australia at Lord’s in 2023 and against India at The Oval in August.Wood appeared to be a major doubt after hamstring soreness in England’s warm-up game, but Stokes was bullish about his prospects on Thursday. “He’s flying,” Stokes said. “I know you guys say he only bowled eight overs in the game, but he’s been bowling for a long, long time. He has always been someone who can just hit the ground running in a game, and he’s bowling rapid.”Some of England’s unused squad members may feature for England Lions in their four-day match against a Cricket Australia XI at Lilac Hill, which also starts on Friday. Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and Matthew Potts are all in contention to play.England XII: Ben Stokes (capt), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Carlo Ancelotti says he doesn't "owe" anyone a place in his Brazil 2026 World Cup squad after once again being asked about Santos star Neymar's prospects. The Brazil icon has repeatedly been left out of recent national squads due to injury issues, but after scoring a hat-trick for his club last time out, speculation over his World Cup place is intensifying. However, the Italian made it clear he will not be pressured into certain picks.

• Neymar was 'Brazil's undisputed star'

  According to two Brazilian greats, Neymar has been an icon for the national team over the past decade or so. He was their standard bearer at their home World Cup in 2014 as they bowed out in the semi-finals to a rampant Germany, but also helped them win gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The former Barcelona star was once one of the best players in the world but now he is 33 and has struggled with form and injury in his second spell at boyhood club Santos, although he has come good right at the end of the season for them as they aim to stave off relegation. Indeed, ex-AC Milan ace Cafu says that the forward is not the player he once was.

  He told : "For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying enormous expectations and responsibility on his own. But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."

  Despite that, 2002 World Cup winner Ronaldo has complete faith in his compatriot. "He's a crucial player for Brazil – there's no one else like Neymar. It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery. Anyone who has been in football knows perfectly how hard it is to come back from an injury and regain rhythm and confidence. He's right on track," he said.

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• AFP
  

  Ancelotti fires warning to Brazil stars

  Earlier this week, Ancelotti warned Neymar and Vinicius Junior, who has also struggled with injuries of late, that they need to be at "100%" to make Brazil's World Cup squad. 

  He said: "There are many players who are very good, I need to choose players that are 100%. It's not just Neymar, it could be [Real Madrid forward] Vinicius. If Vinicius is at 90%, I'll call up another player who is at 100%, because it's a team that has a very high level of competence, especially up front. Up front, we have really many good players."

  After Brazil found out they have Scotland, Morocco, and Haiti in their 2026 World Cup group, the Italian was once again asked about Neymar's chances of being involved in the tournament.

  He told reporters on Friday: "If we talk about Neymar, we have to talk about other players. We have to think about Brazil, which can be with Neymar or without Neymar, with other players or without other players. The definitive list we will make after the FIFA date in March. I understand very well that they are very interested in Neymar, I want to clarify that we are in December, the World Cup is in June, I will choose the team that will go to the World Cup in May. If Neymar deserves to be, if he is well, better than someone else, he will play in the World Cup and period. I don't owe anyone a debt."

• Who will be Brazil's next leader?

  Ancelotti was also asked which of his players can inspire Brazil to World Cup glory. The national side is packed with quality players such as Vinicius, Rodrygo, Estevao, Raphinha, and more. Despite all that talent, the former Real Madrid boss gave little away.

  "I can make a list of players who can be protagonists in the World Cup," he said. "It may be that now we don't have a referential player in this sense, but we will have many referential players. I can make a list, we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, some of the best defenders, top midfielders and some players up front. I said I don't want players who want to be the best in the world, I want players who want to win the Cup. The important thing is not to have referents, but to have players who want to win."

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• Getty
  

  Neymar faces uncertain future

  At the end of the season, Neymar is expected to have arthroscopic surgery to address a meniscus injury in his left knee. For now, he is trying to keep Santos in the Brazilian top flight, with Neymar's side currently just outside the relegation zone with one game remaining. After that, though, the veteran – who scored a hat-trick against Juventude this week – doesn't know what lies ahead for him in 2026, with his contract expiring in a matter of weeks.

  He told this week: "I don’t know, honestly. First, I want to finish this season and then think about it. Santos always comes first. I’m very happy for the goals and for helping Santos. We’re happy for the win. There’s one game left, and we have to give our all at Vila again. I always prioritise my health, nothing that would harm my career. It’s [the injury] manageable, something I’ve been dealing with for years. I’m doing everything to reach 100 percent. Scoring the goals today made me really happy. I’ve always been Neymar in every match, regardless of the situation. Sometimes things don’t go as planned because of the team’s form or injuries, but I’ve always shown up. I know what I can do on the pitch and always aim to give my best."

Chelsea are weighing up the possibility of an early January move for one ‘magnificent’ forward with an agreement already in place for his arrival next year.

Liam Delap succumbs to another Chelsea injury blow

Liam Delap’s Chelsea career has descended into frustrating misfortune following another significant injury setback.

The 22-year-old suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder during Saturday’s goalless draw at Bournemouth, leaving the field in obvious discomfort after landing awkwardly following a challenge with Marcos Senesi.

Medical staff immediately applied a makeshift sling before Delap trudged directly towards the tunnel, his arm immobilised to prevent further damage.

Enzo Maresca then delivered a concerning post-match update that confirmed initial fears.

Reports suggest Delap faces approximately six to eight weeks sidelined, which comes as another devastating blow for the young forward after he was previously out of action for weeks with a hamstring injury.

Chelsea signed Delap from relegated Ipswich in June, beating the likes of Man United and Newcastle to his signature after an impressive maiden Premier League season.

The Winchester-born striker finished as Ipswich’s leading scorer with twelve goals across thirty-seven appearances last term, accounting for thirty-three percent of their total output despite their eventual drop to the Championship.

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Delap also earned a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination and convinced Maresca – who previously managed Delap during his tenure overseeing Man City’s Elite Development Squad – that he represented an ideal target man.

However, the Englishman has since struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, managing just sporadic appearances whilst failing to register a single Premier League goal for his new employers.

Player

Pedro

Guiu

Delap

Games

18

8

11

Minutes

1377′

280′

453′

Goals

4

1

1

Assists

3

1

0

His only Chelsea strike this season arrived against Barcelona in the Champions League, providing brief optimism before this latest injury.

Marc Guiu replaced Delap against Bournemouth but was rusty throughout, highlighting Chelsea’s lack of alternative options, and it has led to suggestions that Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha could arrive earlier than anticipated.

Chelsea weigh early January move for Emanuel Emegha

According to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea chiefs are evaluating whether to bring forward Emegha’s arrival from their sister club following Delap’s injury blow.

The Blues confirmed a deal worth around £22 million several months ago, that was scheduled to deliver Emegha to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

However, Delap’s absence has prompted internal discussions about accelerating that timeline to January.

Strasbourg initially resisted any mid-season departure for their captain, but circumstances have shifted considerably.

Argentine forward Joaquin Panichelli has emerged as Liam Rosenior’s first-choice striker, demonstrating excellent form which suggests the Ligue 1 side could accommodate Emegha’s premature exit.

The 22-year-old Netherlands international stands at a towering 6 foot 5 and recently earned his maiden senior caps for his country, establishing himself as one of France’s most promising attacking talents.

Should Chelsea trigger the January switch, they would also likely compensate Strasbourg by funding an immediate replacement through BlueCo’s multi-club network.

Emegha, who’s been called ‘magnificent’ by critics, scored 14 French top flight goals last season and ended the campaign as one of Ligue 1’s top scorers.

He’s also bagged seven goals across 11 appearances in all competitions this season, so he’s a man bang on form right now regardless of Panichelli’s rise.

The owners of Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings and Islamabad United have all confirmed they will renew their ownership for ten further years. The announcements follow previous public statements from Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi also officially confirming their renewed ownership.It means the five franchises the PSL began with have signed deals to continue with the same owners. Shortly after United went public, Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen announced he would not be extending his ownership of the franchise.Each franchise was widely expected to renew. Kings, who were initially the most valuable franchise in 2016, officially saw the smallest percentage growth in their annual franchise fee, representing what were perceived as particularly beneficial terms. They were valued at PKR 440 million (approx US$1.57m) in 2016 and about 790 million (approx US$2.8m) in the most recent valuation.Related

• Multan Sultans owner decides not to renew ownership of PSL franchise

With incumbent owners retaining franchise rights, they are required to pay the old value plus 25% of the new valuation, meaning Kings’ annual franchise fee comes to around PKR 640 million (approx US$2.3m). That means their market value has dipped below that of Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans, and is only higher than Quetta Gladiators.”A decade ago, we made a promise to help bring cricket back to Pakistan,” Kings owner, Salman Iqbal, tweeted. “Today, I am proud to announce that we have officially renewed Karachi Kings’ franchise rights for the next 10 years! This isn’t just a renewal; it’s a recommitment to the vision that built the HBL PSL.”Quetta and Islamabad have joined them. Gladiators are understood to have the lowest market value but the largest growth in their value. Their annual fee in 2016 was about PKR 187 million (approx US$660,000). With their market value going up to approximately PKR 690 million (approx US$2.45m), retention means the owners will have to pay in the region of PKR 360 million (approx US$1.28m) per year.United, too, have pipped Kings in market value, which is estimated at about PKR 860 million (approx US$3.06m). This is up from PKR 255 million (approx US$910,000) at the advent of the PSL, requiring owner Ali Naqvi to pay about PKR 470 million (approx US$1.67m).Two new teams will be added ahead of the next season of the PSL, which is set to be held between March and May 2026. With Sultans’ ownership group declining to retain, the PSL has to find an ownership solution for three teams before the draft for the 11th edition can get underway.

Under-fire Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is personally very keen on signing one marquee forward amid a major setback surrounding their chase for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

Thomas Frank under pressure amid woeful Spurs run

Frank finds himself navigating treacherous waters at Tottenham right now, with mounting pressure threatening his managerial position following a dismal run.

The Dane has overseen just one victory from Tottenham’s last seven fixtures across all competitions, culminating in Saturday’s disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham.

Spurs’ abject home form compounds their misery right now with just three wins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025, and only bottom-side Wolves have a worse record on their own patch this season.

16. Burnley

2

1

3

7

-1

17. Nottingham Forest

2

1

4

7

-5

18. West Ham

2

0

5

6

-9

19. Tottenham

1

2

4

5

-1

20. Wolves

0

1

5

1

10

Particularly alarming are whispers from within the Tottenham dressing room, where players have reportedly grown bewildered by Frank’s constant tactical tinkering.

Some media sources believe that strategies are frequently modified immediately before kickoff or abandoned entirely during matches, leaving squad members confused about their responsibilities (Jack Rosser).

Tottenham have also conceded eleven goals in their last three games, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s unbelievable error gifting Harry Wilson Fulham’s winning goal last weekend.

Frank’s relationship with supporters has also reached boiling point following his criticism of fans who booed Vicario’s mistake, and carried on jeering the Italian almost every time he touched the ball afterwards.

It wasn’t really the best move by Spurs’ boss to add fuel to the fire, considering his popularity was already waning among a lot of supporters, who are also extremely keen for co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange to hire a new manager.

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He’s on the verge of leaving his current club.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Dec 2, 2025

Even more worryingly for the north Londoners, credible reports suggest that players feel a ‘growing disconnect’ with the fanbase (The Telegraph), and this quite simply must cease if Tottenham stand any chance of building upon their Europa League triumph in May.

Spurs’ lack of attacking creativity has been subject to plenty of debate too, but the Lewis family are apparently looking to back Frank in January and provide him with major forward upgrades.

It is believed that both FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, who’s been on fire for the last two seasons, and Premier League superstar Semenyo are both on Spurs’ radar heading into next month.

Frank 'intent' on signing Aghehowa as Spurs dealt Semenyo blow

The latter’s contract includes a tantalising £65 million release clause, including add-ons, which will be active in the early stages of January.

Of course, this has piqued real interest from Spurs, with the prospect of Mohammed Kudus on the right and Semenyo on the left coming as a very enticing thought.

However, as per TEAMtalk, Paratici and Lange have now been dealt a crushing blow in their pursuit of the 25-year-old.

The Lilywhites, Man City, Liverpool and Man United are all competing to sign Semenyo in January, but Pep Guardiola’s City side are now casting doubt over a potential move to N17.

This is because they are now the prime contenders with Semenyo ‘keen to engage’ in City talks, dealing Spurs a roadblock and making them outside contenders for his signature.

That being said, Frank personally remains ‘intent’ on signing Aghehowa for Spurs, and there is every reason to believe the Spaniard would be a serious improvement on their centre-forward options.

The 21-year-old has bagged 37 goals in all competitions since the start of 24/25, making him one of Europe’s most lethal strikers right now, but Tottenham will need to fork out around £70 million to make the deal happen.

This would be a club-record deal for Spurs, eclipsing the £65 million they paid for the injury-prone Dominic Solanke last year.

Solanke’s unavailability, concerns surrounding Richarlison and Mathys Tel’s rawness emphasise the need for a new number nine, especially considering Randal Kolo Muani is only at Tottenham on a straight loan.

In terms of pedigree and potential, you could hardly do better than Aghehowa, who’s already been compared to a prime Diego Costa.

The opener did not hide his displeasure at the surface in Perth despite it being rated “very good” by the ICC

AAP29-Nov-2025

Usman Khawaja was not impressed by the pitch for the first Test•AFP/Getty Images

Cricket Australia officials will meet with Usman Khawaja this week and ask the opener to explain himself over criticism of the Perth pitch, as they weigh up whether to sanction him for labelling it a “piece of s***”.Khawaja raised eyebrows on Friday when he hit out at the surface for the first Test, just a day after the ICC handed it the highest possible rating of “very good”.Speaking at a fundraising lunch for the Usman Khawaja Foundation, he criticised the wicket’s variable bounce during Australia’s eight-wicket win.Related

Khawaja confident of Gabba fitness but slams Perth pitch

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He also pointed to the fact 19 wickets were lost on day one this year against England, and 17 last year in the series opener between Australia and India.CA officials are believed to be disappointed by the remarks, and will speak with Khawaja in camp ahead of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.The Perth Test was the shortest in Australia in 93 years, and the second shortest of all time in the country, with just 847 balls bowled in the entire match.”Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit. That’s a great wicket, that seems real fair,” Khawaja said at the luncheon. “The same thing happened last year in the India Test. It’s just that day-one wicket, the ball just does not react.”Steve Smith’s by far the best cricketer I’ve ever played with and he’s missing the middle of his bat by a long way. He does not miss the middle of his bat, (yet) he’s getting hit in the elbow.”So day-one wicket at Perth is a piece of shit, I’m happy to say that. Has been last year, it was this year.”CA this week praised the wicket, with chief of cricket James Allsopp saying the ICC’s rating had justified head office’s view the pitch provided “a fair balance between bat and ball”.The rating also shone a light on England’s poor batting, which was labelled “brainless” by the likes of former England opener Geoffrey Boycott after they faced just 68.3 overs across two innings.But Khawaja was adamant the Perth pitch was still not good enough, with his main issue being variable bounce.”You can’t really predict up and down. Up and down is the hardest. Sideways is little bit easier,” he said. But up and down, your hands can’t catch up. They do get better. Day two, day three and then day four, they start to crack up and cure again.”Whenever we play at Perth, it’s one of the few places we win the toss, bat first, hoping that we can bat again maybe at the end of day two and into day three.”Khawaja’s talk with officials comes with pressure on his spot at the top of the order, with concerns over both his fitness and form in Perth.Back spasms meant he was unable to open for Australia in either innings in Perth, allowing for Travis Head to score a match-winning century in the fourth-innings chase.Khawaja is confident he will be fit to play in Brisbane, with his back having improved, while also insisting he had paid no attention to calls for him to be dropped from the side and Head moved up to open the batting.