New captain says he will aim to continue winning mentality in absence of talismanic batter

Matt Roller31-Jan-2025Hampshire’s new captain Ben Brown believes the club’s “winning mentality” will help them overcome James Vince’s absence in the County Championship this season as they look to end a 52-year wait for the title.Vince has captained Hampshire across formats for almost a decade and led them to three consecutive top-three finishes in the Championship. But he will spend the first two months of the season at the PSL and does not intend to play in the Championship at all this year, with unexplained attacks on his home last summer prompting his family to move to Dubai.Vince will continue to lead Hampshire in the T20 Blast but Brown is taking over as four-day captain, and concedes that there is a “huge hole” to fill in their middle order. He has already spoken to director of cricket Giles White about the prospect of bringing in an overseas batter, but believes the rest of the squad have a responsibility to cover the loss of a “generational talent”.Related

James Vince: Why I quit red-ball cricket – and others will follow

English players want NOC clarity after signing PSL deals

Vince quits first-class cricket to take up PSL deal

Brown told ESPNcricinfo: “The big thing here is mentality. It’s been passed down: stories of Shane Warne, who passed on a mentality of winning, right through to Vincey who has been driving that culture of trying to win every competition we play in. It’s hugely important to make sure that message continues, because there’s no doubt Vincey’s going to leave a huge hole.”He’s led the club, not just with his runs but his personality. Of course, we are going to miss him. But we have to fill that void as a collective and find a way to move forward. All of us need to step up and that’s the senior group and the young players, who are moving in the right direction as well. We have an attitude collectively to fill the gap, and there’s no reason why we can’t win it.”Hampshire announced this week that Kyle Abbott will return as one of their two overseas players in the Championship this season, with the second slot likely to be filled by a batter. “I’m sure we will get a good overseas to come in to help us out,” Brown said, “but I do think it’s on the group to make sure we’re all stepping up our performance.”Abbott is among a group of senior players who will support Brown as captain, along with Nick Gubbins, James Fuller and Liam Dawson, who signed a new three-year contract at the club on Thursday. He will also be expected to aid the development of Hampshire’s young seamers, such as Sonny Baker, who made his first-class debut for England Lions this week, and John Turner.Hampshire have an experienced core despite James Vince’s absence•Getty ImagesGubbins will continue to captain Hampshire’s 50-over side, while the formal role of club captain will be vacant in 2025. Hampshire are in a period of transition on and off the pitch: this will be their first season under the ownership of Delhi Capitals co-owners GMR Group, and their first running a fully professional women’s team in the ECB’s new domestic structure.Brown is an experienced captain who led his boyhood club Sussex in 78 matches across formats between 2016 and 2021. But he was controversially removed from the role midway through his final season with them, and negotiated an early release from his contract in order to join Hampshire after his relationship with the Sussex hierarchy declined sharply.He has never won the Championship as a player, but was breaking through as a teenager when Sussex won back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. “They were really inspiring times,” he recalled. “I was on the balcony watching, and those memories don’t go away for a young player. One of the large reasons I came here was that I wanted to win a Championship.”It would be a hugely special achievement because of the history here: it’s the one piece that’s missing, and everyone around the club knows how big it would be. Surrey have been incredible, winning three in a row so every other county has to take their hat off – but also find a way to cash in if they slip up, and to close the gap every year.”Brown is yet to play against his old county but will do so this year after their promotion back to Division One. “I’m delighted to see them back,” he said. “I was really sad to leave and I still have a lot of passion and love for Sussex. It’s a really good squad full of some really good people, and a lot of the young players that I played with are now maturing into first XI players.”For my own personal journey, you have to do what’s right for you in a relatively short career. I’ve learned a huge amount coming here and seeing a different environment. I was obviously at Sussex all the way through as a boy, and sometimes you just need to change it up. I’m delighted to take on the captaincy and to take the club forwards.”

A new claim has emerged regarding who Norwich City’s next manager could be, with Kim Hellberg reportedly the subject of talks with the club recently.

The Canaries are still looking to bring in the right replacement for Liam Manning, who was relieved of his duties earlier this month, with the 40-year-old sending a classy message to the fanbase.

“I look back on being appointed head coach of my hometown club with great pride. Unfortunately, we were unable to achieve the results or fulfil the plans we set out when we took over in June.​ Although my time with the fans was brief, I want to acknowledge their outstanding support during a challenging period. They continued to show up in great numbers – unsurprising given their passion and loyalty – and displayed incredible spirit despite understandable frustrations.”

“I would like to thank the players for their efforts throughout my time at the club and wish them all the best, both personally and professionally. The club welcomed me warmly, and the dedication of everyone across all departments never went unnoticed. I am truly grateful for that and I wish everyone associated with Norwich City the very best for the future.”

A host of individuals have been linked with being Manning’s successor at Norwich, including former Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson, and now a new update has thrown another name into the hat.

Related The latest on Jon Dahl Tomasson becoming Norwich City's next manager

Is he the right man for the job?

Posts ByHenry Jackson Nov 16, 2025 Norwich have held talks with Kim Hellberg

According to Sky Sports, Norwich briefly spoke to Hammarby manager boss Hellebrg about taking charge at Carrow Road, but that ship appears to have sailed.

That’s because Middlesbrough are believed to have a verbal agreement in place with the 37-year-old, bringing him in to replace Rob Edwards, who has departed for Wolves.

Hellberg would have been a left-field choice by Norwich, given his lack of experience, but it is easy to see why they have looked at him as a potential strong choice.

The Swede has been lauded as the “brightest football mind” by assistant coach David Selini, highlighting his tactical acumen, and by IFK Varnamo sporting director Enes Ahmetovic for the detail he goes into, and he is at an age where he is likely to bring fresh ideas.

It looks as though Norwich will have to look elsewhere, though, whether it be Tomasson, Gary O’Neil or someone else, and the Canaries will hope that Hellberg doesn’t thrive too much at Boro, assuming he does move there.

Norwich City also had talks with manager who has 100% win record vs Manning

Spinner’s five-for sees Kent follow on, before hosts stumble to close five down

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay26-Sep-2025

Kent 271 (Ekansh 71, Dawkins 61, Morley 5-99) and 136 for 5 (Compton 55*, Evison 53, Reece 4-33) trail Derbyshire 698 for 6 dec by 291 runsDerbyshire were closing in on a huge victory against Kent when bad light forced a premature end to day three of their Rothesay County Championship match at Canterbury.Kent were 135 for 5 in their seconds innings, still 291 behind, after Luis Reece ripped out their top order with 4 for 33.That came after Jack Morley took 5 for 99 as the visitors dismissed Kent for 271 in the first innings, a lead of 427. Ekansh Singh and Ben Dawkins both hit career-best scores of 71 and 61 respectively, but when the former was out Kent’s last four wickets went for just nine runs.Derbyshire enforced the follow on and Reece reduced them to 20 for 3 before Joey Evison and Ben Compton offered some resistance. Reece eventually got Evison for 53, but Compton was unbeaten on 55 when the light failed.The lights were on but very few people were at home when play began on time, with Kent on 117 for 2. Morley, who removed nightwatcher Michael Cohen with the final ball on day two, struck again in his first full over of the morning, getting Jaydn Denly lbw for a five-ball duck.Ekansh was given a life when Wayne Madsen couldn’t cling on to a slip catch after he flashed at Ben Aitchison, but Dawkins was strangled as soon as Zak Chappell returned from the Nackington Road End.Ollie Curtiss got his first first-class runs, but Morley had him brilliantly caught by Martin Andersson at midwicket for 14, leaving Kent on 217 for 5 at lunch.Morley claimed his fifth in style by clinging on to a violent return catch from Ekansh at the second attempt and in doing so he became the first Derbyshire spinner to claim five wickets at Canterbury since Les Townsend in 1931.There was raucous applause from the Nackington Road End when Evison hit Harry Came for successive boundaries to earn Kent a solitary bonus point, but he then slashed Reece to Aneurin Donald at first slip, before Aitchison got his second strangle of the day when Harry Finch flicked him behind for 14.Corey Flintoff went for a second-ball duck, hitting Aitchison straight to the sub fielder Nick Potts at square leg and Matt Parkinson lasted four balls before he edged Reece to Wayne Madsen, who took an outstanding one-handed grab at second slip.If that was bad, there was worse to come as Reece bowled Dawkins for nought with the second ball of the second innings and then had Denly caught behind for four in his next over. Reece got his third of the innings when Ekansh was caught behind for 4, but Compton and Evison steadied things.The latter was dropped by Amrit Basra off Chappell when he was on 28 in the final over before tea, at which point Kent were 61 for 3. He was dropped again on 52 when he drove Dal to midwicket, but Donald put him down, apparently while celebrating a catch he hadn’t actually taken.Donald’s embarrassment was fleeting as Evison chipped Reece to Andersson in the next over and Dal then bowled Curtiss for 4 but Compton swept Morley for four to pass 50 and bad light stopped play at 5.39pm, with eight overs remaining.

Andy Robertson has now reportedly made his decision on returning to Celtic with Parkhead chiefs already preparing to commence talks with the Scotland captain as early as January.

The Hoops could certainly do with his experience on the European stage, having been well-beaten once again in midweek. This time, it was Midtjylland who reaped the rewards, easing to a 3-1 victory in a game that saw them take a three-goal lead before half-time. Whilst Martin O’Neill has managed to turn things around so far domestically, he could do nothing to stop the rot in the Europa League.

The defeat laid bare the task that the next permanent manager has on their hands and those at Celtic Park are yet to even discover who that will be.

O’Neill once again distanced himself from the job when questioned, telling reporters: “I will be here as long as the football board wants me, it’s as simple as that. That could be at the end of the week, it could be after the Kilmarnock game. I just don’t know.”

Celtic schedule first interview with 37 y/o manager who dreams of Hoops job

The Bhoys are still on the hunt for their Brendan Rodgers replacement.

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 6, 2025

Whoever is next in the hotseat – whether it be Nicky Hayen, Kieran McKenna or another name – must turn towards the transfer window to welcome some much-needed experience and quality.

Andy Robertson makes Celtic return decision

As reported by TeamTalk, Robertson is now open to making a return to Celtic and signing a pre-contract agreement as soon as January. Sources told TeamTalk that “it’s a move that would make total sense for him personally” and the Hoops are now ready to swoop in to strike an early deal.

If the Scottish giants are after experience and quality, then Robertson is their man. The iconic Liverpool left-back arguably still deserves the starting spot over new man Milos Kerkez at Anfield, but has less than 12 months remaining on his current contract. Given that the Reds bought Kerkez to act as Robertson’s successor last summer, a new contract seems unlikely at this stage.

That, as things stand, should allow Celtic to seal a bargain deal for a Champions League winner who, even at 31 years old, would take the Scottish Premiership by storm.

Once dubbed the “complete player” by former Liverpool left-back Fabio Aurelio, Robertson would be one of the signings of the summer if the Bhoys secured his arrival on a free deal.

Their academy graduate has won it all in English football and is now open to coming full circle and returning to end some unfinished business in Scotland.

Celtic now considering McKenna move

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras perdeu para o Athletico-PR por 2 a 0 neste domingo (12) e somou a sua segunda derrota no Brasileirão 2024, a segunda como mandante atuando na Arena Barueri.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras toma posição sobre paralisação do Campeonato BrasileiroPalmeiras12/05/2024Palmeiras‘Se não jogamos no Allianz, não me cobrem para sermos campeões’, dispara Abel, do PalmeirasPalmeiras12/05/2024PalmeirasCom show de Pablo, Athletico-PR vence o Palmeiras e assume a liderança do BrasileirãoPalmeiras12/05/2024

➡️Siga o Lance! Fora de Campo no WhatsApp e saiba o que rola fora das 4 linhas

Em três jogos como mandante neste início de Brasileirão, o Palmeiras somou apenas um ponto, no empate diante do Flamengo, e as duas vitórias que conquistou na competição foram longe de São Paulo, diante de Vitória e Cuiabá.

Com apenas 8 pontos em 18 possíveis, o início de campeonato do alviverde imponente preocupa a torcida, que terá que retornar para a Arena Barueri para o próximo jogo como mandante do Verdão no Brasileiro, diante do Vasco, pela 8ª rodada.

continua após a publicidade

Na saída de campo da Arena Barueri, Joaquín Piquerez falou sobre ter que jogar na segunda casa alviverde.

– Perdemos novamente na Arena Barueri, sabemos que o nosso forte é no Allianz Parque, não é aqui! – disse o jogador.

➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

Nas redes sociais, muitos torcedores se mostraram revoltado com a escolha do clube de jogar no estádio que agora é de Leila Pereira, e até Abel Ferreira esbravejou na coletiva sobre ter que atuar longe do Allianz Parque.

E Abel tem motivos para querer jogar no Allianz Parque, isso porque o Verdão está invicto dentro da Arena em 2024 e com um aproveitamento de quase 90%.

continua após a publicidade

أعلن الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم «فيفا»، اليوم الأربعاء، عن إيقاف قيد نادي الزمالك، للمرة السادسة.

وأوضح فيفا عبر موقعه الرسمي، أن الإيقاف يشمل 3 فترات قيد جديدة، ويستمر سريان القرار حتى يتم تسوية النزاعات المالية المرتبطة بالقضايا الثلاثة، دون الإفصاح عن التفاصيل أو الأطراف المسؤولة عن القرار.

طالع.. شوبير عن أزمة الزمالك وصلاح مصدق: يغضبون مني عندما أقول الحقيقة

ويأتي هذا الإجراء في ظل تراكم القضايا ضد الزمالك، حيث تعرض النادي لإيقاف بسبب 3 قضايا، في 3 نوفمبر، وقضية في 6 نوفمبر، وأخرى في 24 من الشهر نفسه.

ويستعد الزمالك حاليًا لمواجهة كهرباء الإسماعيلية، ضمن منافسات كأس الرابطة “كأس عاصمة مصر” يوم 9 ديسمبر الجاري.

وكان الأبيض قد تعادل مع كايزر تشيفز الجنوب إفريقي بهدف لكل فريق، ضمن منافسات دور مجموعات كأس الكونفدرالية.

Blake Snell was electric in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 5-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night, twirling seven innings of scoreless ball and surrendering just two hits. The veteran lefty racked up 12 strikeouts and the final one came in interesting fashion after he talked manager Dave Roberts into keeping him in the game.

Holding a 3-0 lead with two outs in the seventh, Snell was working with runners on first and second. With the tying run at the plate and 107 pitches already delivered, it looked as though Roberts would be making a move to bring in Alex Vesia from the bullpen. Vesia certainly thought that was happening as his skipper jogged on the field but Snell had a different plan.

Snell was able to successfully lobby to keep competing and Roberts did a quick U-turn toward the dugout after hearing what he needed to hear from his starter. Vesia, who thoughtfully was trying to keep up the pace of play, was forced to stop his jog toward the mound and return to his perch behind the left-field fence.

"I was excited," Snell said after the game, via MLB.com. "I don't like the bullpen finishing my innings. I'm very adamant about that. I don't want them in that situation. I put myself in this, I can pitch my way out of it."

Roberts's trust was immediately rewarded as Snell fanned Otto Kemp to end the threat. Loving the moment, he raised his fist in celebration.

Quentin Ndjantou delivered a fearless and mature Champions League debut as Paris Saint-Germain beat Tottenham, earning glowing praise from coach Luis Enrique and captain Marquinhos. The 18-year-old academy striker not only registered an assist but convinced his coach that he is “a real signing," sparking new confidence in PSG’s youth-first strategy.

• Ndjantou earns stunning praise after Champions League debut

  The French starlet Ndjantou’s first-ever Champions League start became one of the major storylines of PSG’s thrilling 5-3 victory over Tottenham. At just 18 years old, the academy forward was a surprise starter in Luis Enrique’s line-up, chosen ahead of Goncalo Ramos with Ousmane Dembele only fit enough for the bench. Despite not scoring, Ndjantou made a strong impact by providing the assist for Vitinha’s rocket just before half-time and consistently stretching the Spurs backline.

  Boss Enrique described him as nothing short of extraordinary after the match, praising his courage and versatility. While, PSG’s captain Marquinhos echoed the sentiment, highlighting the youngster’s composure on such a massive stage. In a match filled with high-tempo exchanges and standout individual performances, Ndjantou managed to stand out as PSG’s latest academy revelation, strengthening the club’s emphasis on developing homegrown talent.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Enrique and Marquinhos impressed by teenager

  Coach Enrique did not hold back when assessing Ndjantou’s performance, using some of the strongest praise he has given a young player since arriving in Paris. Speaking post-match, he said: "To be honest, I think he was sensational! Because he has the ability to control the ball, to play as a number 9. And at the same time, he can provide continuity. He has a lot of mobility, he played everywhere, he showed his personality, and I'm very happy.

  "He was a real signing, he is a real signing, and we don't need to go into the transfer window to sign a player like Quentin Ndjantou. I'm very happy. He can play anywhere, and I like this fearless way of playing football. Sensational, and he's a great signing. We're ahead of the other teams because we've already signed our first player."

  The praise was not limited to the coach, and captain Marquinhos, who has witnessed several generations of PSG academy graduates arrive into the first team, emphasised how rare such maturity is at this level: "He played a very good match. He did what the coach wanted. He tried to find the open spaces between the lines… He played a very good match for a kid who's starting the season with us and who hasn't played many games with us yet."

  The PSG captain highlighted not only Ndjantou’s technical showing, but also the importance of PSG’s academy producing first-team-ready talent, adding: "He made his debut in a Champions League match and showed a lot of character. I'm really proud that our youth academy is starting to produce results like this. I think he's an extraordinary player, and we'll be there to support him so he can develop at his own pace. He's still young, and he needs to know that a lot of things are going to happen in his life."

• A bold tactical gamble that paid off for PSG

  Enrique’s decision to start Ndjantou was bold, especially in a fixture of such intensity. The Spanish coach bypassed seasoned attackers like Ramos, and Ballon D'Or holder Dembele, Lee Kang-in and even fellow academy prospects Senny Mayulu, who scored in the Champions League final, and Ibrahim Mbaye to hand the false-nine role to the 18-year-old. His reasoning seemed rooted in exploiting Ndjantou’s pace, mobility and ability to attack spaces behind Tottenham’s explosive defensive line, especially against the athletic Micky van de Ven.

  Ndjantou justified that trust and roamed between the lines, linked play cleanly, attacked every gap in the defence, and contributed directly to two key moments, the assist for Vitinha and the corner sequence leading to Pacho’s goal.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Future opportunities and squad rotation

  PSG’s packed schedule and Enrique’s emphasis on rotation mean that Ndjantou is likely to receive more opportunities in the coming weeks. The coach has already indicated that trust in young players is central to his game model, and performances like this only accelerate Ndjantou’s rise.

  With Dembele returning from injury, Ramos competing for minutes, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola in strong form, the fight for attacking places will intensify. But Enrique’s post-match words, especially describing Ndjantou as “a real signing” – suggest he is now firmly in the manager’s plans.

  PSG’s next fixtures in Ligue 1 and Europe will test squad depth, making Ndjantou’s versatility crucial as the club aims to avoid injuries during a long campaign.

Pressure-free runs from under-pressure players as seminal summer begins with a bang at Trent Bridge

Vithushan Ehantharajah22-May-20251:40

Crawley not feeling pressure for Test spot from Bethell

Not all days of Test cricket teach you something. Not all days of Test cricket add to its lore. Not all days of Test cricket shift the dial. Sometimes, like this Thursday in Nottingham, they are simply a collection of 88 uncompetitive overs and 498 seemingly inevitable runs. Sometimes Test cricket can be more one-sided than the seating plan at The Last Supper.Days like these give Test cricket a more transactional feel, consumed through gritted teeth, glad for it despite the lack of meaningful contest. The format’s deep past implores you to appreciate its present, and it was certainly easier for the 10,081 at Trent Bridge to do so given the significance of England’s past with these particular opponents.In an era of meaningless, shoehorned fixtures, this one-off, four-day Test – a soft re-launch of a bilateral relationship between England and Zimbabwe – might be the most meaningful. A high-profile, low-jeopardy gesture of goodwill that serves a competitive and political purpose. A first meeting in 22 years comes as part of a broader “re-accepting” of Zimbabwe as a Test nation, as well as an easy taper for England into 10 hotly contested Tests split between India and Australia.Zak Crawley is congratulated by Ollie Pope after reaching his fifth Test century•Getty ImagesZimbabwe would be forgiven for wondering if this is really worth the fuss, after the kind of toil they’d happily do without for 22 years more. The day’s grazing – with more to come on Friday – began after they were hoodwinked at the toss by overcast skies and a pitch that feigned life. Richard Ngarava’s injury left them a bowler short for the second half of the day. And with all due respect to Sikandar Raza, who picked up the slack, his Sunil Narine-lite shtick grew weary by the end, even as the most economical bowler on show.England can never take much from these kind of days, given the various disparities between them and their opponents. Not to mention that runs against Zimbabwe tend to be bracketed alongside those against Ireland and Bangladesh – the first to be discarded when getting into the weeds of any batter’s career. That being said, with India at home and an away Ashes up next – familiar opponents for this English batting core – it is hard to begrudge them a bit of a feast.With the stat-padding, however, came an appreciated, albeit momentary halting of the narratives that had been building up at the start of the summer. Two of the three centurions at the top of the order, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, are perennially thought to be at risk but, right now, seem to be a little closer to the edge. The former is wrestling with a lean trot, triggered by an 8.66 average in the last series against New Zealand, while the latter is threatened by the looming presence of Jacob Bethell. Tanaka Chivanga looks dejected as Crawley piles on the runs•Getty ImagesPope, the player under greater threat at No.3, strode off with a bumper unbeaten 169 and counting, an innings that contained the hallmarks of impishness that usually offset his early skittishness. Crawley, meanwhile, beamed with relief after a first century in two years. Familiar characteristics in very friendly settings.”You know you are under pressure but I just want to play well,” Crawley explained at stumps, speaking about his general head space. “[Social media] can bother you a little bit but the annoying thing is not playing well. That’s what I focus on.”You don’t want to feel like you are hanging on. I have felt under pressure for my place loads of times in my career, and it’s a much nicer place to be when you feel you are contributing.”For about 24 hours, some of that pressure had inadvertently come from within the sanctuary. On the eve of the match, not long after head coach Brendon McCullum had preached more care with media engagements, the Test captain had seemingly put Crawley and Pope on notice.”I think you put 2 and 2 together, you probably know what’s going to happen,” Stokes had said, when asked if Bethell, currently out at the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, would come back for the India series. It was only on Wednesday evening, during Stokes’ usual poring over England’s media coverage, that he realised he had misspoken rather than been misconstrued. His effusiveness, it was urgently explained behind the scenes, had been around Bethell’s return to the squad – a no-brainer following his exploits on that maiden series in New Zealand – rather than a direct route in the XI.Overnight, he mulled over setting the record straight by addressing Wednesday’s headlines, ones that spoke of pressure on Crawley and Pope. In the end, he decided not to. Crawley, unaware of the comments, revealed Stokes had not broached the subject with him or team – and nor did he need to.Related

Pressure on Pope and Crawley with Bethell in line for role against India

Duckett, Crawley, Pope tons seal England's day of dominance

Brendon McCullum wants England Test team to reconnect with fans

Ben Curran on his journey with Zimbabwe: 'Everyone's got their own path'

Switch Hit: Zim bunnies?

Watching on from the home balcony at the Radcliffe Road End, Stokes looked pleased with how things were panning out. He might have been fearful that the previous fortnight of bonding, intended to get his charges back into the groove, could have been scuppered. As it happens, their six-month break from Test cricket has only reiterated the fondness.It was evident in England’s reactions to the admittedly subdued celebrations out in the middle, even as Ben Duckett celebrated his first century at his home club. A more respectful ovation was saved for the very end, when Joe Root saluted the crowd upon reaching 13,000 Test runs.”I love being around this team, I wish we could play every week,” Crawley said. “I love being around these guys and I’ve missed it a lot.”It’s been nice being around the last couple of weeks and I’m looking forward to a good summer.”It is not disrespectful to Zimbabwe to suggest Thursday is as easy as Test cricket will get for England, in this match and over the next nine months. And for all the absence of jeopardy so far, the tougher times that lie in wait suggest these undemanding yet nourishing days should not be taken for granted.

He had a couple of lives, on 61 and 98, but Labuschagne played with impressive fluency against Tasmania

AAP06-Oct-2025

Marnus Labuschagne credited Steve Smith’s influence for helping him rebuild his game after he was dropped from the Australian Test team.Labuschagne took a major step towards reclaiming his berth for the first Ashes Test by top-scoring for Queensland on Monday in their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at Allan Border Field.Related

Labuschagne launches with a century: 'Nothing else matters but runs'

Weibgen feels wait was worth it: 'I've got to know my game'

Renshaw, Khawaja, Labuschagne pile up runs against Tasmania

While his 160 was not perfect, Labuschagne clearly won round one of the informal Shield bat-off for top-order spots ahead of the Ashes opener from November 21 in Perth.After a mammoth first innings of 612, Queensland were well-placed at stumps on day three, with Tasmania 62 for 1 in their second innings and trailling by 171.Labuschagne was dropped for the Test series in the West Indies after Australia’s World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa in June. While he starred in the Bulls’ Shield opener, on the other side of the country incumbent Test opener Sam Konstas notably failed again for NSW in their match against WA.Labuschagne said after Monday’s play that Smith had loomed large in his thinking after he lost his Test berth.”It’s always nice to score a hundred and to get the team in a position where we can win the game on day four, it’s always a good thing,” Labuschagne said. “I felt good out there. It felt like I was reading the conditions well. I took the game on at certain times.”I feel like I’ve really stripped it back and my focus is just scoring runs – it’s not really too technical … just what I need out there to score runs. The nice thing is, over the last six or seven years, I’ve played with one of the best players in the world and learned a lot from him.”So having a technique that’s adjustable and something that I can just use, rather than work out what’s the exact, perfect way to play – just going back to find a way to score runs.”Labuschagne also scored a domestic one-day century last month.National selector George Bailey was present in Brisbane as Labuschagne flourished after taking 12 balls to get off the mark.His big innings was not flawless – he was dropped on 61 and nearly blew his century with a wild swipe on 98. Labuschagne went down the wicket to spinner Nivethan Radhakrishnan and wicketkeeper Jake Doran could not take the chance. It was either a dropped catch or a missed stumping. The ball ricocheted off Doran’s glove and landed clear of Jackson Bird at first slip.Soon afterwards, Labuschagne brought up his 33rd first-class century with an all-run four. Labuschagne hit 17 fours and two sixes and only faced 206 deliveries.Queensland took control with their huge first innings, with opener Matt Renshaw also putting his hand up for a Test recall and current opener Usman Khawaja impressing.The pick of the Tasmanian attack was legspinner Nikhil Chaudhary, the Indian-born allrounder who plays for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL. Making his first-class debut, he finished with 5 for 108.He found out only two days before the match that he was playing. “Nothing can get better than having a five-for on debut,” Chaudhary said.