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Weakened Australia look for Champions Trophy answers
Big Picture: Australia hit by injury, retirement; SL not at the party
Six players have been added to the originally selected group: Jake-Fraser McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha. It is likely they will all get at least one of the two matches in Sri Lanka as some of those who played both Tests are given a short break. Smith appears set to take the captaincy.
It appears likely that Head and Matt Short will form the first-choice opening partnership although Fraser-McGurk could make a late entry. He and Short struggled in the home series against Pakistan in November. Another point of interest is whether Alex Carey finds himself a place in the middle order.
Sri Lanka WLLWW(last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
Australia LLWWL
In the spotlight: Dunith Wellalage and Matt Short
Team news: Starc likely to rest
Given the odd nature of this series and the short turnaround, it's tricky to know what each side will do. It was announced on Wednesday that Mitchell Starc had withdrawn from the Champions Trophy and was also unavailable for these two ODIs.
Australia squad: Travis Head, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha
Sri Lanka squad: Charith Asalanka, Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga, Mohamed Shiraz, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage
Bumrah ruled out of Champions Trophy; Varun a late inclusion in India squad
While Bumrah's latest scans, which he underwent in Bengaluru over the weekend, did not reveal anything severe, he is not entirely ready to return to bowling. There is no confirmation on the timeline of his return. It is likely he will resume running in a couple of weeks and then gradually get back to bowling. His progress will be monitored by the BCCI's medical team in Bengaluru.
When the BCCI announced the provisional squad for the Champions Trophy and the England series in January, Rana was named as Bumrah's back-up for the England ODIs. Rana made his ODI debut in the first game of the England series in Nagpur, sharing the new ball with Mohammed Shami. Rana started impressively, but Phil Salt then thrashed him for 26 runs in his third over. But the seamer from Delhi bounced back, picking three wickets to transfer the pressure back on England, which played a key role in India's win.
Rohit had also said that with a question mark over Bumrah's fitness, the decision makers collectively had confidence in Shami controlling the front-end of the innings and left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh capable of handling the death overs.
Varun replaces Jaiswal in Champions Trophy squad
India's squad for the Champions Trophy
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill (vice-capt), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun ChakravarthyNon-travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, Shivam Dube
Starc withdraws from Champions Trophy, Smith to captain Australia
Starc, who has asked for privacy around his decision, had looked in some discomfort in the latter stages of the second Test in Galle.
"We understand and respect Mitch's decision," chair of selectors George Bailey said. "Mitch is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia.
"His well documented ability to play through pain and adversity, as well as forgoing opportunities in other parts of his career to put his country first should be applauded. His loss is of course a blow for the Champions Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity to someone else to make a mark on the tournament."
Smith will take on the captaincy in place of Cummins and Marsh having led Australia to a 2-0 victory the Test series against Sri Lanka.
Fraser-McGurk, who averages 17.40 from five ODIs but finished the BBL with 95 off 46 balls for Melbourne Renegades, provides another top-order option in the absence of Marsh while left-arm quick Johnson is as close as possible to a like-for-like of Starc although is wicketless from two ODIs. Legspinner Sangha, who was already in Sri Lanka with the Test squad as a development player, joins Adam Zampa as a second frontline spinner.
"The squad has changed significantly over the past month on the back of some untimely injuries and the retirement of Marcus Stoinis," Bailey said. "The upside of that is that we have been able to call on players who have had international exposure and success over the past 12 months.
"A strong core of some our most experienced players will provide a strong foundation in our attempt to win this edition of the Champions Trophy. We have a range of options to shape the playing XI within the tournament depending on the opposition and conditions we face."
Australia will prepare for the Champions Trophy with two ODIs against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Wednesday and Friday. Their first match of the tournament is against England on February 22 followed by South Africa (February 25) and Afghanistan (February 28).
Australia Champions Trophy squad
Steve Smith (capt), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam ZampaKuhnemann reported for suspect action after Sri Lanka Test
Kuhnemann, who claimed 16 wickets in the two matches in Galle, will now have to undergo independent testing at an ICC-accredited centre with Brisbane the likely location. Bowlers are permitted 15 degrees of flex in their actions.
It is the first time in a professional career which began in 2017 that Kuhnemann's action has been called into question. He is able to continue playing domestic cricket while his action is assessed.
Should he fail the assessment in the coming weeks he would be banned from bowling until remedial work is undertaken and the corrections are approved.
"The Australian team was notified of the match officials' referral following the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle and will support Matt through the process of clearing this matter," a CA spokesperson said.
"Matt has played 124 professional matches since his debut in 2017, including five Test matches and four One-Day Internationals. He has played 55 Big Bash League games since 2018.
"This is the first time in those eight years of professional cricket that his action has been questioned.
"Cricket Australia will liaise closely with the ICC and independent experts in line with ICC regulations. No further comment will be made by Cricket Australia or Matthew until the matter is resolved."
Kuhnemann was lauded as Australia's best bowler in the Sri Lanka series by Nathan Lyon after the duo teamed up to take 30 off the 40 wickets in the 2-0 series sweep.
He faced a race against time to be fit for the tour after breaking his thumb in the BBL in mid-January but made a remarkable recovery to be able to take his place in the side.
Kuhnemann has taken 25 wickets in five Tests at an average of 22.20.
Sri Lanka bat first; Jake Fraser-McGurk gets opening opportunity
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat against Australia
Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk will open the batting with Cooper Connolly listed at No. 3 as a weakened Australia start their preparation for the Champions Trophy in the first ODI.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat on a dry surface in the first of two ODIs in Colombo, with the series starting just three days after the second Test wrapped up early.
Short and Fraser-McGurk struggled in Australia's ODI series loss to Pakistan in November, but will once again join forces at the top of the order with Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell not playing. Alex Carey will take the gloves in the absence of Inglis.
Seam bowling allounder Aaron Hardie has been listed at No. 7, while Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson comprise Australia's pace attack.
Mitchell Marsh is also on the sidelines due to a back injury, while fellow allrounder Marcus Stoinis recently announced his shock retirement.
After such a stirring performance as stand-in captain in the Test series, Steven Smith will continue to fill the shoes of Cummins but will be limited in the field after aggravating an ongoing elbow issue on the last day of the second Test.
Having missed out on the Champions Trophy, the series has little context for Sri Lanka but they will be looking to rebound after such a disappointing Test series and continue their strong ODI form having won seven of their last 11 matches. Skipper Charith Asalanka said he eyed a target of 270-280 and Sri Lanka boast a spin-heavy attack.
Sunny and humid conditions are expected for the first day ODI at R Premadasa Stadium since 2014.
Sri Lanka 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Kamindu Mendis, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Janith Liyanage, 7 Dunith Wellalage, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Eshan Malinga, 11 Asitha Fernando
Australia 1 Matt Short, 2 Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Steve Smith (capt), 5 Marnus Labuschagne, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Aaron Hardie, 8 Sean Abbott, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Spencer Johnson
Saints hire Eagles OC Moore as new head coach
METAIRIE, La. -- Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has agreed to become the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints, the team announced Tuesday.
The Saints made the move official two days after Moore and the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
"At the start of the interview process, it was important to find a head coach who was the right fit for the New Orleans Saints organization," team owner Gayle Benson said in a statement. "Through the search process, it became clear that Kellen is the right person to help us re-establish a winning program and culture that our fans are accustomed to and have come to expect. I would also like to thank Darren Rizzi for his service as interim coach and leading our team this past season. I am truly grateful to him."
The Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22, and quarterback Jalen Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP. Immediately after the Super Bowl win, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni jokingly pleaded with Moore to return to the team for another season.
"Let's run this s--- back, Kellen," Sirianni said, laughing.
Moore, 36, instead decided to move ahead with his quest to become a head coach after one season in Philadelphia. The Eagles averaged 27.2 points in the regular season (seventh in the NFL) and 36.3 points in the postseason (first in the NFL).
Former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, who spent last season as an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers, is a leading candidate to become Moore's defensive coordinator in New Orleans, sources told ESPN. Moore was the Chargers' offensive coordinator under Staley in 2023.
Fixing the Saints' defense will be a major priority for Moore and whomever he hires as defensive coordinator. The Saints allowed the third-most yards per game last season (379.9).
The Eagles, meanwhile, will now be hiring their third offensive coordinator in the past three years. Moore replaced Brian Johnson, who was fired after the 2023 season. Johnson had replaced Shane Steichen, who left the Eagles after the 2022 season to become the Indianapolis Colts' head coach.
The Saints were the last team to fill their head coaching vacancy. Under NFL rules, they could not make Moore's hiring official until the conclusion of the Super Bowl.
The New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots all conducted coaching searches that concluded before the Super Bowl.
The Saints were willing to wait on Moore after flying to Philadelphia to interview him after the NFC Championship Game two weeks ago.
He was one of four candidates to interview in person with the Saints, who also conducted multiple interviews with New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Rizzi, the Saints' special teams coordinator who was promoted to interim coach after Dennis Allen was fired on Nov. 4.
Moore is the first head coach to come from outside the building since Sean Payton stepped away after the 2021 season. The Saints promoted Allen, then the defensive coordinator, to the open position after a quick coaching search that involved a small pool of candidates, each of whom interviewed once.
"I am excited to join the New Orleans Saints and deeply appreciate the faith that Mrs. Benson and the entire Saints organization have placed in me," Moore said. "I look forward to embracing the challenges ahead and am eager to get started. I would also like to thank the Philadelphia Eagles for an incredible 2024 season. I'm excited to begin this new chapter," Moore said in a statement.
Moore also is a departure from Allen, who was 50 and a second-time coach when hired. Moore will be one of the youngest head coaches in the league and comes from the offensive side of the ball, similar to Payton when he was hired in 2006. Payton had three seasons of experience as an offensive coordinator with the Giants upon his hiring.
Moore played quarterback for Boise State from 2007 to 2011 and in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and the Cowboys.
Moore started his NFL coaching career following his retirement from playing after the 2017 season. He was the Cowboys' quarterbacks coach in 2017 and the offensive coordinator in Dallas from 2019 to 2022. He was offensive coordinator for the Chargers in 2023 before taking the same position with the Eagles this season.
His offenses are ranked fifth (compared to all other NFL teams since 2019) in points per game (26.4) and yards per game (376.5), while his quarterbacks have posted a 62.1 Total QBR, also fifth in the NFL since 2019, according to ESPN Research.
Simmons ready to help Clips play 'high level' ball
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Ben Simmons opened a new chapter with the LA Clippers on Tuesday, practicing with the team for the first time after being waived by the Brooklyn Nets last weekend.
The No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft is expected to make his debut either Wednesday at home against Memphis or Thursday at Utah. He hasn't played since Feb. 1.
"I feel great, ready to go," Simmons said. "I just want to play basketball at a high level and I feel like that's going to happen here."
He left the Nets, who have a 19-34 record and are 12th in the East, for the Clippers, who are 29-23 and sixth in the West.
"It's easier when teams are transparent and understand who you are and what you need and how the team can help and how I can help them," Simmons said. "I feel comfortable. I know most of the guys on the team."
Simmons, 28, joins a veteran squad led by Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Norman Powell.
"Defensively, it's a lot different when you're on the court with a lot of vets. It will be unique having a lot of guys like that on the court," Simmons said. "It's not going to take too long to get a feel for each other on the floor."
One of his new teammates is fellow Australian Patty Mills, who recently joined the Clippers.
"I've known Patty since I was young," said Simmons, who was born in Melbourne. "Having a familiar face like that around helps, but the guys have been great. Everyone has been very welcoming."
Simmons went to the Nets from Philadelphia in a deal for Harden at the 2022 trade deadline. But the three-time All-Star was never able to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the court that season. He hurt his back trying to get into shape after sitting out the first half of that season.
The injury problems, mostly due to lower back nerve damage, continued to limit Simmons. He made it through just half of the 2022-23 season, during which Durant and Irving were both traded, and played only 15 games last season.
Simmons played in 33 of the Nets' 52 games this season, starting 24, and averaged 6.2 points and 6.9 assists.
He was waived by the Nets last Saturday, with the sides agreeing to a buyout of his contract. He is making $40 million this season and is set to be a free agent this summer.
Coach Tyronn Lue regards Simmons' arrival as a fresh start for the Clippers.
"It's going to take a little time as far as rotations and how we play guys together but from a basketball standpoint, I'm kind of excited about it," he said.
Defensively, Lue says he expects Simmons to guard the best opposing players.
"He's up for the challenge," Lue said.
Simmons likes that the Clippers view him as a point guard first, although he also has played center at times.
"For me, that's truly my position," he said. "I see the floor, I want to get my guys easy buckets and control the pace. On the defensive end, I want to be a dog, I want to be able to get stops and put pressure on the ball."
The Clippers made multiple moves at the trade deadline, acquiring Bogdan Bogdanovic, Mills, Drew Eubanks and MarJon Beauchamp.
"I think everyone is just going to push each other and be better and expect greatness," Simmons said. "That's my expectation."
Pistons build team-record 42-point lead over Bulls
CHICAGO -- The Detroit Pistons set a franchise record Tuesday night after they built a 42-point halftime lead on the way to a 132-92 romp over the Chicago Bulls.
Detroit outscored the Bulls 71-29 in the first half, eclipsing the previous mark of 34 points against Chicago on March 23, 1969. The 40-point margin of victory was Detroit's largest since 2012 and tied for its third-largest ever on the road.
Malik Beasley set a Detroit record for 3-pointers in a season with 212 after making 7 of 10. The previous mark was 211 by Saddiq Bey in 2021-22. Cade Cunningham added 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds as the Pistons came away with their most lopsided win of the season.
Tobias Harris scored 18 and Ausar Thompson finished with 16 points as the Pistons rolled to their third win in a row.
The victory guaranteed the Pistons a winning record going into the All-Star break for the first time in 16 seasons, according to ESPN research.
The Bulls set a team record by missing their first 20 3-pointers before Ayo Dosunmu hit one near the end of the second quarter. They were 10 of 47 from beyond the arc and shot 35% overall in the game.
Things were so comical for Chicago that Nikola Vucevic threw his arms up in mock celebration after making a hook shot late in the first half that trimmed the deficit to 43. And the crowd cheered, too.
But there were boos as well during the drubbing, something Bulls guard Josh Giddey said the team "deserved."
"It is our responsibility as players to give them something to cheer for," Giddey said of the fans in the arena. "Tonight we probably deserved that. We didn't give them anything to cheer for. We were down 40 in the first half and that's not acceptable."
Chicago had just two players score in double figures -- Matas Buzelis (12 points) and Giddey (11). Coby White scored a season-low five, making just 2 of 13 shots and missing all eight 3-point attempts.
Chicago will have its chance for revenge when the teams meet again on Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Free agent center Len signs deal with Lakers
Free agent 7-footer Alex Len has changed course, signing a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, the team announced Tuesday.
Len had intended to sign with the Indiana Pacers but decided to land in Los Angeles after the Lakers rescinded their trade to acquire Mark Williams and created a new opportunity for a center.
The Lakers waived Christian Wood to open up a roster spot to sign Len. Wood had yet to play this season while rehabbing from offseason knee surgery.
Len, 31, provides the Lakers with additional depth for a thin frontline, joining Jaxson Hayes as a positional center.
The Wizards acquired Len from the Sacramento Kings in a three-way trade last week in a deal that centered on Marcus Smart going from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Wizards.
Len had played in 36 games for the Kings this season, averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 7.2 minutes.
In his 12th NBA season, Len has career averages of 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 17.1 minutes.
Raps' Ingram agrees to 3-year, $120M extension
New Toronto Raptors star Brandon Ingram has agreed to a three-year, $120 million contract extension with the franchise, including a player option in 2027-28, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agents Shy Saee and Mike George told ESPN.
Ingram, 27, was traded by the New Orleans Pelicans to the Raptors last week -- and now arrives in Toronto with a lucrative extension that keeps him out of free agency this summer. The new deal shows a commitment on both sides, as the Raptors lock in a shot creator and offensive force to work with Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett for the next several years.
Ingram has been sidelined since Dec. 7 with a significant ankle sprain but is working toward a return in the second half of this season.
After Ingram's six seasons in New Orleans, the Pelicans traded him for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, one first-round pick and one second-round pick. Ingram, 27, ranks fifth in career points in Pelicans history and averaged 20 points for the season six times, tied with Anthony Davis for most ever for the team.
In Ingram, the Raptors have acquired a dynamic option next to Barnes, a priority for the franchise's front office. Ingram is one of six NBA players to average 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in each of the past four seasons. As an inside the 3-point line shooter, Ingram ranks as one of the league's best -- trailing only DeMar DeRozan for most midrange shots made per game.
According to Second Spectrum, the Raptors rank last in the NBA in made off-the-dribble jumpers per game this season. Ingram ranks sixth-best among NBA players in that category. He is also one of four players to make at least 1,000 2-point jumpers over the past six seasons, along with DeRozan, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
In 2019-20, his first season with the Pelicans, Ingram was an NBA All-Star and won Most Improved Player of the Year. New Orleans acquired Ingram as part of a blockbuster trade that sent Davis to the Lakers in June 2019.
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