O Botafogo esteve presente na vitória do Chelsea sobre o Crystal Palace, pela Premier League. Além das placas de publicidade com o escudo do Alvinegro que ‘invadiram’ o Selhurst Park, Durcesio Mello, presidente do Glorioso, e Eduardo Freeland, novo dirigente das categorias da base, assistiram ao jogo in-loco ao lado de John Textor.
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+ Botafogo: Com parte burocrática pela compra da SAF ‘presa’, John Textor adia vinda ao Brasil
O empresário está em vias finais de assinar o contrato definitivo para comprar 90% da SAF do Botafogo e se tornar acionista majoritário do clube. Além disso, ele também possui ações no Crystal Palace.
Ainda não é assinante do Cariocão-2022? Acesse www.cariocaoplay.com.br, preencha o cadastro e ganhe 5% de desconto com o cupom especial do LANCE!: GE-JK-FF-ZSW
Durcesio Mello valorizou a experiência nas redes sociais. O presidente desembarcou em solos ingleses durante a semana acompanhado de Freeland para conhecer a estrutura dos Eagles.
– Momento importante e especial com John Textor e Freeland no Selhurst Park – escreveu Durcesio.
John Textor, Durcesio Mello e Eduardo Freeland se reuniram novamente neste sábado, desta vez no Selhurst Park, a casa do @CPFC, onde assistiram ao jogo da Premier League. Mais um dia muito importante para o andamento e crescimento da nossa instituição 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HyTtuTeB6B
Upon his arrival, prospective new owner Dan Friedkin could now reportedly use his ownership of AS Roma to his advantage right away at Everton to strike a swap deal which would see the Toffees land a midfield reinforcement.
Everton transfer news
Friedkin’s arrival is certainly going to be one to watch. The group have endured a mixed spell at Roma, having already sacked two managers in the current campaign, including club legend Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric after just 12 games in charge. In scenes that should concern Sean Dyche, those at Goodison Park will be hoping to avoid similar chaos after enduring a tumultuous time themselves on and off the pitch in the last two seasons.
Instead, Everton will be hoping to instantly benefit from an injection of money to hand Dyche a handful of much-needed reinforcements. For now, his side remain on course to avoid Premier League relegation, but fresh faces could all but confirm their survival and perhaps more as the campaign progresses.
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On that front, the rumours have already got underway too. The likes of Tariq Lamptey and Luiz Henrique have already been linked with moves to Merseyside in recent weeks, but it could be a face more familiar to Friedkin who makes his way to the Toffees.
According to AS Roma Live, Friedkin could now use their Roma links to complete an Everton swap deal for Bryan Cristante, which would see forward Beto head in the other direction.
Considering that both players are reportedly worth up to €20m (£17m), it certainly seems like a fair deal for both sides, especially given Everton’s need for another defensive midfielder and Roma’s desire to reinforce their frontline. If the players are keen on the move too, then it should, on paper, be a fairly simple one to pull off. After all, Friedkin is about to own both clubs.
"Great" Cristante would add vital experience
Now 29 years old and a player who’s won the Euros, the Conference League and picked up silverware in Portugal, Cristante would provide Dyche with an instant boost at the heart of his midfield. Next to the similarly experienced Idrissa Gana Gueye, Cristant could form a solid partnership to hand Everton the foundation that allows the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Iliman Ndiaye to thrive.
The Roma midfielder has earned plenty of praise over the years whilst picking up those aforementioned honours, including from former manager Jose Mourinho, who praised Cristante’s European performance a couple of years ago. He told reporters as relayed by Roma Press: “When Cristante doesn’t play, we are in trouble, it’s the truth and we shouldn’t hide it.
“When there’s the possibility of having a rested version of Cristante on the pitch, it’s a double contribution: he was suspended, he didn’t play in the last match, he was fresh and only focused on this match, then there’s his tactical intelligence and his knowledge of the movements on the pitch which we cannot replace. He played a great game.”
Now, as Roma turn their attention towards Beto, Everton could get the perfect opportunity to land quite the addition at the heart of their midfield.
Wicketkeeper-batter will form part of a strong Championship middle order
Matt Roller14-Jan-2022
Ben Brown has signed an all-formats contract•Getty Images
Ben Brown has signed a two-year contract at Hampshire after leaving Sussex at the end of last year following his removal from the club captaincy.Brown, 33, had two years left to run on his Sussex contract but was released from his deal in December following talks with the club. Brown had an excellent 2021 season with the bat, making 976 County Championship runs with four hundreds, but was axed as captain in mid-summer and requested a move.He has signed an all-formats contract with Hampshire but will be expected to perform in the Championship in particular, as part of a strong middle order already containing James Vince, Nick Gubbins and Liam Dawson. He will be competing with Lewis McManus and Tom Alsop for the wicketkeeping gloves.Related
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“Ben’s arrival is exciting news for the club and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the group next week,” Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket, said. “He brings many qualities and has a particularly impressive red-ball record; we are confident he’ll be a great addition to the squad.”Brown said: “I am extremely proud and humbled to sign for Hampshire. To be joining such a talented playing squad and to have the opportunity to work with the club’s impressive coaching staff is a privilege.”I’m looking forward to being able to call the Ageas Bowl my home ground and am hugely grateful to everyone at Hampshire for the opportunity to do so. I’m excited to be joining the group next week and to play my part in pushing for trophies and silverware over the coming years.”Brown’s departure made him the latest in a string of senior players to leave Sussex in recent years, and came two weeks after Ian Salisbury, their Championship and 50-over head coach, had insisted he would see out the rest of his contract at a fans’ forum.Sussex announced on Friday that Chris Adams and Tony Cottey have been added to their cricket committee, with Adams declaring that “it has been too long” since Sussex were regularly competing for trophies and that “many challenges lie ahead for the team and all the coaching staff”.
أضاف إبراهيم عادل، لاعب بيراميدز الهدف الرابع لفريقه أمام الجيش الملكي المغربي، في المباراة الجارية بينهما الآن، ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
ويستضيف بيراميدز نظيره الجيش الملكي، على ملعب استاد الدفاع الجوي، في إطار مباراة الذهاب لدور ربع النهائي من المسابقة القارية.
طالع | في 9 دقائق.. فيستون ماييلي يسجل هدفين لـ بيراميدز أمام الجيش الملكي (فيديو)
وأحرز إبراهيم عادل، هدف بيراميدز الرابع والثاني له في اللقاء، في الدقيقة 67، بشكل رائع بعدما قام بمراوغة مدافعي الفريق المغربي وسدد في المرمى. هدف بيراميدز الرابع أمام الجيش الملكي.. إبراهيم عادل
وكان بيراميدز تقدم بثلاثة أهداف عن طريق فيستون مايلي “هدفين”، وإبراهيم عادل هدف، وقلص فريق الجيش الملكي النتيجة وسجل لاعبه عبد الفتاح حدراف هدفًا بالدقيقة 45.
بيراميدز كان قد تأهل إلى دور ربع النهائي (دور الـ 8) من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعدما حل في المركز الثاني للمجموعة الرابعة، بينما الجيش الملكي جاء تأهله إلى الدور ذاته، بعدما احتل صدارة المجموعة الثانية من دور المجموعات.
تجدر الإشارة إلى أن مواجهة الإياب بين الفريقين، تقام يوم 8 أبريل في مدينة مكناس المغربية.
Most of the Indian cricketers are expected to join their IPL teams after the second Test in a bubble-to-bubble transfer
ESPNcricinfo staff26-Feb-2022
If in the XI, Virat Kohli will play his 100th Test in Mohali from March 4•BCCI
The second India vs Sri Lanka Test, a day-nighter in Bengaluru, will have crowd attendance at 50% capacity, but the first Test, in Mohali, which is also likely to be Virat Kohli’s 100th, will have to be played behind closed doors from March 4 to 8 because of Covid-19 restrictions.A Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) office bearer confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that spectators would, indeed, be allowed for the five days of the Bengaluru Test, from March 12 to 16. As for Mohali, a PTI report said that BCCI “won’t be allowing any spectators”. ESPNcricinfo understands that KSCA has begun the sale of tickets for the Bengaluru Test.The explanation for the decision to disallow spectators from attending the Mohali Test is twofold, according to the PTI report: firstly, the high Covid-19 cases in and around Mohali, and secondly, because most of the Indian players are scheduled to link up with their respective IPL squads just after the end of the second Test, in a bubble-to bubble transfer.”Yes, apart from the people, who are on duty for the Test match, we are not allowing any general spectators as per the directive of BCCI,” Punjab Cricket Association treasurer RP Singla was quoted as saying by PTI. “Still there are fresh Covid cases emerging in and around Mohali, so it’s better we take all safety protocols.”Obviously, the fans miss out because an international match at Mohali is happening after almost three years.”The two teams are currently engaged in a T20I tussle, which India are leading 1-0 after winning the first game, on Thursday in Lucknow, by a 62-run margin. The second match will be played later today in Dharamsala, and the third will also be played at the same venue tomorrow.
O Atlético-BA venceu, por 1 a 0, o CRB, nesta quinta-feira (10). Os times se enfrentaram no estádio Carneirão, em Alagoinhas, em partida atrasada pela 2ª rodada da Copa do Nordeste. Com o resultado, a equipe baiana alcançou a 4ª colocação do Grupo A, onde soma 10 pontos. Enquanto isso, o CRB permanece no 2º lugar da chave B, com 14.
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MORNO!
Com pouca intensidade, os times optaram com começar mais calmos, buscando estudar o seu adversário. Truncada, a primeira chance da partida aconteceu aos 13. O CRB apareceu com David, que chutou de longe, mas mandou para fora. Os visitantes conseguiram segurar e se fechar bem diante das investidas do Atlético-BA, que nada pôde fazer.
Pelo contrário, os alagoanos seguiram aparecer. Aos 23, Marthã cabeceou para fora e perdeu a chance de abrir o placar. Dez minutos depois, foi a vez de Reginaldo finalizar, mas o goleiro Fábio fez uma grande defesa. No entanto, nada foi marcado na primeira etapa.
BUSCANDO O GOL!
Depois de fazer uma primeira etapa bastante segura, o CRB voltou para a partida disposto a abrir o placar. Logo aos 6, Marthã teve grande chance. O atacante finalizou com uma bomba, mas o goleiro do time de Alagoinhas pegou no centro do gol. A primeira finalização do Atlético-BA foi aos 13, quando Rael cabeceou para Diogo Silva espalmar.
Propondo mais o jogo, o CRB sofreu no final do duelo. Aos 40, o Atlético-BA abriu o placar do Carneirão. Na jogada, Miller deu um ótimo passe para Emerson finalizar no canto direito de Diogo Silva. Logo depois, o goleiro fez boa defesa em uma chegada de Cesinha.
FICHA TÉCNICA ATLÉTICO-BA X CRB
Local: Carneirão, em Alagoinhas (BA) Data: 10/03/2022 – 20h (de Brasília) Árbitro:Zandick Gondim Alves Junior Assistentes: Vinicius Melo de Lima eEdilene Freire da Silva Cartões amarelos: Lucas Alisson e Cesinha (Atlético-BA);Marthã (CRB) Cartões vermelhos: –
GOLS: Emerson (40’/2ºT) (1-0)
ATLÉTICO-BA (Técnico: Agnaldo Liz)
Fábio Lima;Edson (Paulinho, aos 34’/2ºT),Iran,Bremer eCaetano (Matheus Leal, aos 0’/2ºT); Dionísio, Lucas Alisson eMiller;Jerry (Emerson, aos 34’/2ºT),Gabriel Esteves (Thiaguinho, aos 18’/2ºT) e Rael (Cesinha, aos 18’/2ºT).
CRB (Técnico: Marcelo Cabo)
Diogo Silva;Iago Mendonça,Wellington Carvalho eDiego Ivo; Reginaldo (Raul Prata, aos 31’/2ºT), Marthã,Diego Torres (Marcinho, aos 23’/2ºT),Gustavo Apis (Richard, aos 38’/2ºT) eBryan;David Brall (Claudinei, aos 23’/2ºT) e Emerson Negueba (Anselmo Ramon, aos 31’/2ºT).
Arne Slot has engineered victories over Real Madrid and Manchester City in the past week, dispatching both without conceding a goal and consolidating Liverpool’s position as Premier League and, to a lesser degree, Champions League favourites.
The nine-point Premier League lead over Arsenal and Chelsea, united in second place, bears testament to the Dutch coach’s unflappable mentality and innovative tactics, shaping Jurgen Klopp’s talented team to his own design.
Mohamed Salah for Liverpool
Redmen from all angles have stepped up to bring elation to the Merseyside masses, who can scarcely believe the incredible start to the season that has suggested an illustrious finish is on the horizon.
At the front, though, is Mohamed Salah. The 32-year-old’s future is up in the air but this is hardly affecting his performances, notching a brace against Pep Guardiola’s withered crop to raise his haul to 11 goals and seven assists across 13 top-flight appearances this term. He’s posted six goal contributions from seven matches in further competitions.
Most PL Goal Involvements (Single Side)
Rank
Player
Club
G/A
1.
Wayne Rooney
Man United
276
2.
Ryan Giggs
Man United
271
3.
Harry Kane
Tottenham
259
4.
Thierry Henry
Arsenal
249
5.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool
241
Stats via Squawka
It’s clear that Salah wants to renew his £350k-per-week salary, but whether FSG bypasses their strict wage structure remains to be seen. Time’s ticking. Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes is prudently looking at potential successors, and he’s found an excellent choice to possibly replace the Egyptian king.
Liverpool eyeing Salah replacement
The Athletic have reported that Salah is open to extending his Liverpool contract by a single year but is frustrated by FSG’s handling of the situation. It’s not a good look, whichever angle it is viewed from.
The fact is, FSG have their parameters and will not acquiesce to Salah’s demands if they are deemed untenable. If the dreaded eventuality becomes reality for the Reds, Omar Marmoush is the player who is being lined up to take his place according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
Marmoush, Salah’s teammate with Egypt, has been in remarkable form for Eintracht Frankfurt this season and carries the kind of dynamic attacking qualities that would allow him to dovetail into Slot’s high-flying system.
The £50m-rated forward has been brilliant this season, for sure, and could forge a deadly partnership with Liverpool’s attacking options, especially Cody Gakpo.
Imagine Omar Marmoush & Cody Gakpo
Marmoush, who is 25, scored 17 goals across 41 appearances for Frankfurt last season as he established himself as one of the most promising forwards in German football.
This season, the Egypt international has been on a different level, harvesting 17 goals and 11 assists across 19 matches in all competitions, meaning that he is incredibly outscoring Liverpool’s very own Salah.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
As per FBref, the 5 foot 9 ace also ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 2% for shot-creating actions per 90, thus showcasing a creative side to his game that would see him emulate Salah as an elite multi-faceted attacking outlet.
Most G/A across Europe’s Top-5 Leagues (24/25)
Rank
Player
Apps
Goals
Assists
G/A
1.
Harry Kane
12
14
7
21
2.
Omar Marmoush
12
13
7
20
3.
Mohamed Salah
13
11
7
18
4.
Robert Lewandowski
15
15
2
17
4=
Raphinha
15
9
8
17
Stats via Transfermarkt
While Marmoush is typically found at centre-forward, his pace and movements allow him to operate on the left wing too, promoting his playmaking side. This could see him flourish alongside Gakpo, whose own positional versatility has been streamlined this term, and he is now reaping the rewards.
Goals against Real and Man City have taken the Netherlands international’s haul to eight goals under Slot’s wing, though it’s more impressive still when seeing that he has actually only been handed ten starting berths.
Cody Gakpo scores for Liverpool
Exclusively posting his strikes from that left channel, it’s fair to say that Gakpo is loving life under his compatriot’s wing, and is actually thriving with Luis Diaz as the pair jockey for placement on the left.
As you can see below, Salah’s defence-splitting arced pass undid the shaky City backline on Sunday, finding the surging Gakpo and sending Anfield into an exultant roar. He had no trouble bundling the ball in, and it’s something that Marmoush might have taken note of.
Gakpo’s hardly just a marksman either, once hailed for his “special skill set” by Klopp’s former assistant manager Pep Lijnders, endowed with physical strength, shifty motions and impressive technicality that might just see him forge an innate bond with the equally dynamic Marmoush.
Though it’s easy to get ahead of the track, Liverpool fans must remember that there is plenty of football still to be played this season, with twists and turns and bumps and blocks all sure to threaten the Anfield side’s place in the ascendency.
Salah might be the cream of the crop, but players such as Gakpo are proving to offer quality fit for the biggest and shiniest titles.
To lose Salah at the supposed height of his powers is unthinkable, and surely must not be allowed to happen, but Liverpool will need to replace their 32-year-old phenomenon at some stage, and Marmoush is blessed with the talent to succeed in his stead.
Alongside Gakpo and co over the coming years, it might even be a move that maintains Liverpool’s position at the very summit of English and European competition.
Fewer touches than Kelleher: Liverpool must boldly axe 8/10 ace after City
Liverpool swatted Manchester City aside in the Premier League to go nine points clear at the top.
أبدى المدير الفني لفريق ميلان، سيرجيو كونسيساو، إعجابه بحدث ما خلال مباراة أودينيزي في بطولة الدوري الإيطالي لكرة القدم، مساء أمس، بعد الإصابة التي تعرض لها الحارس مايك ماينان على مستوى الرأس.
وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية والثلاثين من بطولة الدوري الإيطالي، حيث فاز ميلان بأربعة أهداف دون رد.
وشهدت المباراة في شوطها الثاني تدخل رأسي قوي بين الحارس مايك ماينان وزميله في ميلان، أليكس خيمينيز (لمطالعة التفاصيل كاملة من هنا).
وفقد ماينان الوعي لفترة وجيزة على أرض الملعب، قبل أن ينجح في استرداده ونقله إلى المستشفى على الفور، في حين تم استبدال خيمينيز في وقت لاحق.
وسبق أن كان ماينان عرضة لإساءة عنصرية بغيضة من قِبل جماهير أودينيزي في الموسم الماضي من الدوري الإيطالي، واضطر الحارس إلى مغادرة الملعب آنذاك.
ورغم إيقاف من مشجعي أودينيزي مدى الحياة، تواصلت صيحات الاستهجان ضد ماينان خلال مباراة الفريقين في الدور الأول من هذا الموسم، بخلاف رفع لافتات مهينة قبل أيام.
ولكن كل شيء تغير بعدما تعرض ماينان للإصابة الخطيرة في مباراة الأمس، حيث تجاهل مشجعو أودينيزي كل شيء وصفقوا لحارس الخصم أثناء تلقيه العلاج وخلال خروجه.
واستدعى ذلك ثناءً شديدًا من قِبل مدرب ميلان، سيرجيو كونسيساو، في تصريحاته التي نشرتها شبكة “فوتبول إيطاليا”.
وقال سيرجيو كونسيساو: “لقد أبهرني ما حدث، أهنئ جماهير أودينيزي، يحق لهم إطلاق صافرات الاستهجان على اللاعب، ولكن ليس على الإنسان”.
واختتم: “كان التصفيق لفتة رائعة، نادرًا ما رأيت شيئًا كهذا طوال 40 عامًا، إنه الآن في المستشفى لإجراء الفحوص الطبية”.
أكد الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش المدير الفني لفريق نادي بيراميدز، صعوبة المباراة التي تجمعه بنظيره الجيش الملكي، ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
ويحل بيراميدز ضيفا على الجيش الملكي في التاسعة من مساء غد الثلاثاء، على الملعب الشرفي بمدينة مكناس في إياب الدور ربع النهائي من دوري الأبطال.
وقال كرونسلاف يورتشيتش في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر الصحفي: “مباراة الجيش الملكي ستكون غاية في القوة والصعوبة، نظرا لقوة المنافس والذي لا بديل أمامه سوى الفوز بفارق ثلاثة أهداف بعد الخسارة برباعية في القاهرة، وبيراميدز سيلعب اللقاء بحذر شديد”.
وأوضح: “مباراة الغد ستكون مختلفة تمام الاختلاف عن مباراة القاهرة، خاصة وأن المنافس سيعتمد على الضغط الجماهيري المنتظر أن يملأ جنبات الملعب الشرفي في مكناس، وسيحاول بكل تأكيد الضغط منذ أول لحظة للتسجيل”.
وأردف: “لابد من مراعاة ذلك واللعب بحذر شديد وعدم استقبال أهداف والتركيز بشدة، من أجل تأمين العبور للدور نصف النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا”.
طالع | بيراميدز يتقدم بشكوى إلى الاتحاد الإفريقي ضد الجيش الملكي
وبسؤاله عن صعوبة اللعب أمام جمهور كبير في مكناس والضغط على لاعبي بيراميدز، أجاب: “الفريق اعتاد على الأجواء الجماهيرية من خلال مواجهة الأهلي والزمالك في الدوري، وكذلك لعب مواجهات قوية في دوري الأبطال بجماهير كبيرة، واعتاد الأمر ولا مشاكل مطلقا، ووجود الجمهور سيكون حافزا للاعبي بيراميدز من أجل تقديم أفضل ما لديهم والعبور لنصف النهائي”.
واختتم: “أرفض فكرة أن بيراميدز سيلعب مدافعا منذ اللحظة الأولى لتأمين فوزه، ولدينا الأسلوب الذي سنلعب به وسأعمل على الحفاظ عليه وتقديم أفضل شيء ممكن، واللاعبون لديهم الحافز لتكرار الفوز في مكناس وتأمين التأهل”.
يذكر، أن بيراميدز تمكن من الفوز على الجيش الملكي بنتيجة 4-1، في مباراة ذهاب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
Australia offspinner expects UAE-like decks in Pakistan
ESPNcricinfo staff02-Mar-2022
Nathan Lyon expects UAE-like decks in Pakistan•AFP
As he braces to bowl on surfaces reminiscent of those that have anguished them in the UAE previously, Nathan Lyon has summoned his trademark bravado and backed a “young and exciting” Australia to sweep the historic Benaud-Qadir series in Pakistan.Three days before their first Test in Pakistan for 24 years, Australia held their first training session in Rawalpindi in Tuesday, in a bid to quickly acclimatise to conditions. Having played a guessing game so far, Australia received some answers when a dry pitch with little grass covering was unveiled to suggest there could be toil for the bowlers, particularly at the start.Lyon, well adept at analysing pitches as a former curator before he began his 105-Test career in 2011, believed the deck was reminiscent of those in the UAE which has been barren terrain for Australia who were thrashed in three of four Tests there against Pakistan within the last decade. Only a superb match-saving century from Usman Khawaja spared Australia from defeat in the first Test in Dubai in 2018.”It looks similar to a UAE wicket at the moment, there isn’t much grass on it and I dare say it will be pretty shiny on day one,” said Lyon, who in Asia has taken 95 wickets in 19 Tests at 31.24 – fractionally under his overall mark. “Expecting it to be pretty nice to bat on the first couple of days but hopefully spin and reverse swing will come into it.”Australia’s spin options in Pakistan. Who will partner Nathan Lyon?•Getty Images
Lyon’s assessment would seem to suggest Australia’s attack requires another specialist spinner, but he threw a curveball after revealing the slow bowlers were getting little assistance during their centre wicket practice.”We were training three pitches over and it wasn’t spinning that much,” he said. “It had a bit more grass than the match wicket. It’s [the match wicket] not the type of wicket I would have produced as a curator,” he quipped.In the lead-up, Australia have emphasised a “flexible” approach and having “all bases covered” – a cliché Australia’s most successful offspinner too sprouted – but tough decisions are looming, particularly on whether to add a specialist spinner to complement Lyon.If Australia’s go down that path, they will have to decide between uncapped legspinner Mitchell Swepson and left-arm spinning allrounder Ashton Agar, who played the last of his four Tests in late 2017.”I don’t have a preference,” Lyon said when asked who he would rather partner up with. “Both Mitch and Ash are bowling extremely well in the nets and putting their hands up for selection. Sweppo has been around our squad for a long time and always asks questions. Whenever he gets his opportunity, I have no doubt he will take it and run with it.”So it’s going to be an interesting conversation that Andrew McDonald, [chair of selectors] George Bailey and Pat Cummins have in the lead-up.”While diplomatic about a potential Swepson-Agar selection debate, Lyon wasn’t shy about prognosticating over Australia’s first away Test series since the Ashes in 2019. “My mindset is to come here to Pakistan and win 3-0,” said Lyon, whose recent prediction of an Ashes whitewash fell marginally short.”Obviously it’s a totally different challenge to what we’re used to at home. It’s going to be a big challenge, but it’s a young and exciting Australian Test squad and we are coming off a spectacular summer which has given us a lot of confidence.”Lyon admitted to being taken aback over the shock departure of the team’s long-time physio David Beakley, just days before the tour, but said the tourists remained upbeat amid new surroundings.”We don’t make the big decisions on that, so we’ll leave it up to CA and everyone else involved,” he said. “It is disappointing, but we’ve just got to move on. The hospitality in Pakistan has been unbelievable. It’s been very enjoyable so far. To be the first Australian team to come here to play [in 24 years]…it’s a pretty proud moment.”