Prime Minister’s XI moves from Canberra
The historic Prime Minister’s XI cricket match will be held in Melbourne for the first time in its 75-year history, departing from its traditional home at Manuka Oval in Canberra. The fixture is scheduled for March 4-6 next year at Junction Oval, as part of the celebrations for the 150th Anniversary Test between England and Australia.
This decision has generated discussion within Canberra’s cricket community, with some expressing disappointment over the move. The change comes after the England Cricket Board requested the match be held closer to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to better prepare their team for the upcoming Anniversary Test, which runs from March 11-15.
Cricket Australia officials have stated that the relocation is a temporary, one-off arrangement. The aim is to ensure England fields its strongest lineup and to provide optimal lead-in for the Australian Test squad ahead of next year’s Ashes series in the United Kingdom. The move is also intended to revive the relevance of the fixture on Australia’s cricket calendar.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office supported the relocation to Melbourne. He expressed enthusiasm for the match, noting its proud place in Australian cricket history and its role in the lead-up to the 150th Anniversary Test. Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg also highlighted the exposure the match will gain by being played under lights in Melbourne, anticipating large crowds at Junction Oval.
Socceroos prepare for World Cup knockout stage
Meanwhile, the Socceroos are preparing for their Round of 32 clash against Egypt in the World Cup. The match will take place at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, an 80,000-seat air-conditioned stadium. Temperatures are expected to reach 37 degrees at kick-off, which is scheduled for 1pm local time.
Socceroo Ajdin Hrustic addressed media criticism following the team’s 0-0 draw against Paraguay, which secured their second-place finish in Group D. Some English media outlets described the game as forgettable, with one panellist calling it the “worst game of the tournament by a considerable distance.”
Hrustic, who came off the bench against Paraguay, acknowledged the criticism but emphasized the team’s objective. He stated that while not everyone can be pleased, the team achieved its goal of advancing to the knockout rounds. This marks the third time the Socceroos have reached the World Cup knockouts and the second consecutive tournament.
The Socceroos will face Egypt in their Round of 32 match on Saturday, July 4 AEDT. This will be Egypt’s first-ever World Cup knockout game. The Socceroos have been based in Berkeley, California, for approximately a month, but will now travel for the remainder of the tournament.
Mohamed Salah, a key player for Egypt, returned to training with his teammates after sustaining a hamstring issue in their 1-1 draw with Iran. Salah, who is now a free agent after leaving Liverpool, is working to prove his fitness for the match against the Socceroos in Dallas.
Socceroos assistant coach Mile Jedinak stated that the team is focusing on Egypt as a collective, rather than solely on individual players like Salah. He noted that Egypt has threats across the field, including players like Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.
The possibility of a penalty shootout is also a consideration for the Socceroos. Recent World Cup matches saw Germany and the Netherlands eliminated on penalties. Hrustic, who has experience in shootouts from a qualifier against Peru and the 2022 Europa League final, indicated the team is prepared for such a scenario.
Jedinak, a former Socceroos skipper who scored from the spot in both the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, has been sharing his insights on penalty preparation. He stressed the importance of individual processes and repetition for players to feel confident in high-pressure moments.
The Socceroos‘ match against Egypt will kick off at 4am AEST on Saturday, July 4.
Source: foxsports.com.au
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